The Next Morning
She woke up the next morning, her eyes swollen so much from crying that they were almost forced shut. For a moment she looked around, confused. Then it all came rushing back, like a sweet dream if you think hard enough, only this was bitter. And very true. Slowly she tried to conjure up how she'd gotten upstairs, but she simply couldn't remember anything past falling into Draco's arms. And then…That feeling. The feeling that for the first time that day, she had security. That no one would harm her. Something she hadn't felt since a little girl. Before her parents and herself had started their daily battles over her rebelliousness. She slowly sat up, figuring that Draco had carried her upstairs. And there he was, lying on her daybed, wrapped in an afghan. He looked so peaceful, more so than she'd ever seen him, for a second she forgot her grief, she felt something else.
Something she'd not felt since her strong infatuation for Harry in first-year. And that infatuation had slowly died out, only to be rekindled during the summer in which she was now living. Through letters… She moved quietly so as not to wake Draco, and slowly climbed out of bed. She felt strangely weak, and recalled that she hadn't eaten barely anything the previous day. She shrugged it off, pushing it to the back of her mind and open her dresser drawer to dig around inside. She pulled out some lightweight black pants and a blue tank top. Slipping out the door she made her way to her blue and green, frog-themed bathroom, and turned the water on super hot. She moved quickly, and stepped in. As the hot water ran over her, she wondered why it couldn't wash away grief like it did dirt.
More than a half-hour later she stepped out. Her grief had slowly melted away, as she meditated and pushed it to the back of her mind. She'd learned to control almost all of her emotions over the years. The tumultuous years she'd spent in elementary school, and fighting with her parents, had had to be buried upon her entry to Hogwarts. Her parents had simply told her, that they would only allow her to go if she forgot about boys. About gossip. If she pulled her grades up and concentrated on school. So she had, and she'd learned to control her temper along the way. She got dressed and applied light makeup. Finally, and hour after she'd woken up, she opened the bathroom door.
She was greeted by the smell of pancakes and bacon, and for a second she could imagine the scene as it would have been before. Her mother standing at the oven cooking. Her father sitting at the center island, reading the paper and grumbling about "kids these days" or some other article that displeased him. Then the picture wavered, and dissolved. Those days were over. She dumped her clothes in a laundry basket and slipped her feet into slippers before making her way downstairs. What greeted her, amazed her.
Standing at the stove was Draco himself. Flipping pancakes and bacon and looked quite in his element. His shirt sleeves were rolled up. Bobbing around the kitchen, cleaning and washing dishes, and putting away groceries, was a house elf.
"Didn't know you cooked", she stated softly, looking at Draco. Who jumped, he'd been unaware of her appearance.
"You pick a few things up, when you're left to fend for yourself. My mother donated the goods…You still need a few things though."
"My thanks…" Draco finished the food quickly and heaped two plates with food before filling two glasses. She was truly happy that he'd had enough sense to get food. Waking to an empty house would have only added to her bad day. She looked him up and down when he was turned, noticing that he was dressed in a new silk shirt, and comfortable looking black khakis. She'd seen a trunk in the guest bedroom on her walk downstairs. He placed the food in front of her with a flourish. The amount almost nauseated her, her raging emotions eating away at her stomach.
"Eat," he instructed easily. She took a bite, and the sugary pancakes seemed to give her, her appetite back immediately. Draco watched for a moment, as she dug in, and then smiling softly to himself, covertly added something over his food. True enough there was a potion mixed into the food. One which would cause Hermione to eat until her body felt it was full. Until she was healthily saturated. They both finished eating at around the same time. Draco felt refreshed, though he'd slept little, and Hermione looked a little less pale. She was just standing up to bring the dishes to the sink when a resounding pounding on the door echoed into the kitchen. The doorbell rang once.
"Hold on!" she called...Her voice quivering, though the quiver was barely noticeable. Draco stayed in the kitchen as she walked to the door. She opened it a crack, then fully when she saw the police.
"Goodmorning officer. Something I can do for you?" she asked, knowing full well the script that would play out from here.
"You're Hermione Granger?"
"Yes..." she said trying her best to look confused.
"Is something wrong"
"There's been a bombing Miss Granger. Back in the states. You're parents...You're parents were killed."
"Oh...My...God...No..You're...." she grasped the door tightly, her knuckles almost turning white.
"I'm sorry Miss Granger," a few tears rolled from his eyes, while her face was pale with shock.
"I knew them, great people...Anyone I should call for you?"
"No...a...a friend is staying with me."
"Mona?"
"Yes...Catching up on old times..."
"Great kid...If you need anything. Anything at all, call the dispatcher. She'll connect you to me."
"Thank you...Officer...Dolory" she said, reading his badge quickly. He tipped his hat softly, and head hanging made his way down the drive.
Draco curled up on the couch later that day with his charms book and a roll of parchment. Working on an essay. Hermione wandered around the kitchen. Sipping a diet soda here and there. She finally looked to the pile of letters on the table. The parchment letter, heavier than the rest, and larger, taking dominance. She wondered what was so important that the ministry had taken such steps to bring it to her. Why not send it by owl? Finally, curiosity got the better of her. She slowly slit it open and poured the contents out.
Several things fell out, on top of a pile was a picture, one that she was sure she'd seen before...She closed her eyes, and pictured it as if it was yesterday. It was hanging over the fireplace. Turning this picture over, she traced her finger over the writing. Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw
She continued to flip through, and found a birth certificate. With the same name, her parents were listed as Michael and Lucia Ravenclaw. There had to be something wrong...Who were these people...and who was Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw? Finally a letter followed the birth certificate. Hoping it would clear things up, she slit the seal, a raven, and looked at the writing for a moment. It was dated exactly 15 years prior to the current date.
Dearest Hermione,
If you are reading this, then the worst has truly happened. Michael and I feared it would, but it was inevitable. We only hoped we could save you from the same fate. I'm truly sorry that you've been deceived for the past years...No doubt you are now around 16, that is when we instructed the ministry to hand this to you. If they didn't, then tell them I will berate them in the next life. My name is Lucia Granger-Ravenclaw. Though barely anyone remembers me a Granger. I know that you know the name. We had a large family, back in Ireland, and you're 'father' is my true cousin, though way out on the family tree. I'm sure you've seen the birth certificate by now, though the ministry carefully erased any existence of your birth from the muggles, they know it's true. Dumbledore will approve it, I'm certain. I'm sorry we kept this from you, but it was for your own good. You see, Voldermort has been waiting for the Ravenclaw family to produce a female heir. You see, he is a true descendant of Slytherin, who lost Rowena to Godric. Of course, Rowena's brother married, and the line always produced male heirs. Until you. From the beginning you reminded people of her. And from the beginning, you tested your powers. At six months old you were levitating objects. Micheal was so proud, but we were both scared as well. Voldermort will seek you out, if he learns the truth. Micheal inherited his great-aunts powers. He was a powerful wizard, I was good with charms, but he was good all around. Voldermort knew he would have to kill us to find you. And since you're reading this, he accomplished the first part. But we will have made everything about your past disappear. Until now of course. In this envelope you'll find very little about your past, everything is tucked away in a storage room under the Leaky Cauldron. The key is in the envelope. Your true inheritance is in Gringotts. That key is also enclosed. We loved you so much Hermione...I wish you could remember us. Perhaps the pictures will help. I hope my cousins took good care of you, good luck and god bless.
Lucia
Hermione was sitting there, nearly an hour later, when Draco walked in. He had a quill tucked behind his ear and dug around in the refrigerator for a soda. He turned around and raised an eyebrow. Looking at the letters, keys, and papers spread out on the counter.
"You okay?" he asked softly. Not trying to pry into her business.
"Yeah…I can't talk about it right now though. Let me sort through this stuff. Are you up for a visit to Diagon Alley tonight? I need an owl…And I have to talk to Tom."
"Tom?"
"The owner of the Leaky Cauldron."
"Oh. Well I guess that's fine. We'll go after dinner, and eat there…?"
"Yeah sure," Draco nodded and started to leave, "Draco."
"Yeah?" he asked, turning to look at her.
"Thanks. For all of this, I'd be a mess if you weren't here."
"No problem," he smiled and left, going to finish his essay.
Hermione sat there for a while, staring at her birth certificate, and then opened up another small envelope. Tucked inside was a locket, she opened it, and sighed. Inside, was a picture of her, and of a brown haired witch waving frantically. Lucia. Hermione had to admit that she could see herself in bits of Lucia, and the woman was truly a beauty. She looked like she would have been fun to be around…Like she would have been a good mother. But Hermione couldn't concentrate on the "would have beens" she needed to figure out a plan. She shut the locket and slipped it on, tucking the actual locket under her shirt.
She finally opened her eyes and dumped the keys out. She tucked them in her pocket and took the letter to Tom as well. She piled everything else back into the envelope and shut the corner. Going into the refrigerator she pulled out some cold cuts and made herself some lunch, while eating her sandwich she put one together for Draco and placing it on a plate she carried it to the Living Room for him.
"Lunch…" Draco took the sandwich and smiled slightly, she noticed his essay was almost two feet long. The requirement being three feet, yet he seemed to be far from finished.
"We can go when you're finished…" Draco looked at her for a moment, and then shrugged.
"What was in the envelope?"
"I…I can't talk about it right now. Is that okay?"
"I'd like to know eventually. But I understand."
Hermione nodded gratefully and left the room, she wandered around the house, and landed upstairs, at the door to her, now adoptive, parents room. She placed her hand on the knob, and then finally opened it. Not much had changed since that last time she'd been in there, the summer before. It was pretty, the comforter was a bronze gold, and was designed with interlocking roses. The deep cherry wood of the bed and dresser was a good compliment. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of her mothers perfume and her fathers cool water cologne. She was overwhelmed with her loss all at once. She sat down on their bed, and just cried for a long time. She was still sobbing when Draco went in search of her nearly a half-hour later.
"Mione. Hermione…It's okay. Your fine," he pulled her close to him and she buried her head in his shoulder, feeling that safety again.
She finally quieted, as Draco patted her back softly. Wondering when her greif would grow smaller. All of a sudden Hermione sat back, and for a moment he thought he saw a flash of pure hatred and then it died. He hugged her softly and then helped her up.
"Maybe you should wait a while longer. Before you go through their things..."
"Yeah...I guess I should...Let's...Let's go to Diagon Alley."
Hermione stood up and took one more deep breath before leaving the room. Draco followed her out, and closed the door behind them, sighing. She disappeared into her room and returned with a clock fastened tightly over her blue tank top. She led the way to the fireplace and stepped in first, throwing down floo powder, she called
"Diagon Alley!" and in the blink of an eye she was swallowed by bright green flames. Draco followed suit, and before he knew it, he was facing Diagon Alley.
"We need to go to Gringotts first..."
"You have an account?" he asked surprised, looking at her.
"I do now." she said softly, leading the way through the crowded streets.
Though she hadn't received her Hogwarts letter yet, having been out of the country, many of the Hogwarts students had and she spotted quite a few Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw house students shopping. There were one or two Griffindors, but she didn't look like herself, and they didn't wave or bother to say hello. After all, she'd spent most of her time with Harry and Ron, why would Hermione Granger be strolling along Diagon Alley with Draco Malfoy.
They reached the bank and she took a deep breath before entering. Striding to the desk, followed closely by Draco she handed the goblin her key.
"I'd like to withdraw money from Vault 713" The goblin looked at her and then down at his register, it being open to the number already.
"Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw?" he asked in his somewhat high-pitched voice. Looking suspicious.
"Yes." she said.
"Well you have the key. Come now, we'll go get you your money." he led her to a waiting cart and handed her key to a different goblin.
The cart sped down the the track and 10 minutes later they slowed to a screeching halt in front of the vault. The goblin inserted the key and turned it, and the vault opened. Hermione did a double take. Draco's mouth fell open. Stacked nearly to the top of the vault, was the Ravenclaw fortune. She took only what she needed then nodded to the goblin, who shut the vault and handed her the key.
"Welcome back Miss Ravenclaw." She merely nodded, all at once feeling like she had been living an enormous lie.
Draco was staring at her, his eyes wide in disbelief. And again she felt like she shouldn't have brought him. It would have been better for him not to know. They piled back into the cart and made the 10 minute trip back to the surface. Draco helped her out this time, as her stomach was a little upset from the cart ride, something that reminded her of the roller coasters her friend Mona and her had used to love to ride. But she hadn't ridden on since the beginning of her witchcraft training.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were heir to the Ravenclaw fortune. You're not really muggle born are you? Micheal Ravenclaw has been dead for who-knows-how long and they've been searching for his daughter since he died. He left behind a mansion. The entire Ravenclaw castle. Jesus Mione. You'll be famous."
"You can't tell anyone...When Lucia and Micheal were killed they sent me to the care of my parents...Lucia's cousins. It was all in the letter...I'll talk to Dumbledore, but until then Draco...Keep this quiet. Please..." Her voice had an urgency in it that Draco couldn't help but pick up on.
It was then that he knew she was holding things back from him. But he didn't prod. She knew what was best. And it was apparent there was something that kept her from telling him.
He led the way to the owl emporium and they spent the next hour looking at owls as he taught her the best way to pick an owl out, how to tell if they were healthy. What the best breeds were, and who the best breeders were. Who's name to look out for and which owls weren't good message carriers. Finally they decided on a handsome tawny brown barn owl. She named him Archimedes.
She woke up the next morning, her eyes swollen so much from crying that they were almost forced shut. For a moment she looked around, confused. Then it all came rushing back, like a sweet dream if you think hard enough, only this was bitter. And very true. Slowly she tried to conjure up how she'd gotten upstairs, but she simply couldn't remember anything past falling into Draco's arms. And then…That feeling. The feeling that for the first time that day, she had security. That no one would harm her. Something she hadn't felt since a little girl. Before her parents and herself had started their daily battles over her rebelliousness. She slowly sat up, figuring that Draco had carried her upstairs. And there he was, lying on her daybed, wrapped in an afghan. He looked so peaceful, more so than she'd ever seen him, for a second she forgot her grief, she felt something else.
Something she'd not felt since her strong infatuation for Harry in first-year. And that infatuation had slowly died out, only to be rekindled during the summer in which she was now living. Through letters… She moved quietly so as not to wake Draco, and slowly climbed out of bed. She felt strangely weak, and recalled that she hadn't eaten barely anything the previous day. She shrugged it off, pushing it to the back of her mind and open her dresser drawer to dig around inside. She pulled out some lightweight black pants and a blue tank top. Slipping out the door she made her way to her blue and green, frog-themed bathroom, and turned the water on super hot. She moved quickly, and stepped in. As the hot water ran over her, she wondered why it couldn't wash away grief like it did dirt.
More than a half-hour later she stepped out. Her grief had slowly melted away, as she meditated and pushed it to the back of her mind. She'd learned to control almost all of her emotions over the years. The tumultuous years she'd spent in elementary school, and fighting with her parents, had had to be buried upon her entry to Hogwarts. Her parents had simply told her, that they would only allow her to go if she forgot about boys. About gossip. If she pulled her grades up and concentrated on school. So she had, and she'd learned to control her temper along the way. She got dressed and applied light makeup. Finally, and hour after she'd woken up, she opened the bathroom door.
She was greeted by the smell of pancakes and bacon, and for a second she could imagine the scene as it would have been before. Her mother standing at the oven cooking. Her father sitting at the center island, reading the paper and grumbling about "kids these days" or some other article that displeased him. Then the picture wavered, and dissolved. Those days were over. She dumped her clothes in a laundry basket and slipped her feet into slippers before making her way downstairs. What greeted her, amazed her.
Standing at the stove was Draco himself. Flipping pancakes and bacon and looked quite in his element. His shirt sleeves were rolled up. Bobbing around the kitchen, cleaning and washing dishes, and putting away groceries, was a house elf.
"Didn't know you cooked", she stated softly, looking at Draco. Who jumped, he'd been unaware of her appearance.
"You pick a few things up, when you're left to fend for yourself. My mother donated the goods…You still need a few things though."
"My thanks…" Draco finished the food quickly and heaped two plates with food before filling two glasses. She was truly happy that he'd had enough sense to get food. Waking to an empty house would have only added to her bad day. She looked him up and down when he was turned, noticing that he was dressed in a new silk shirt, and comfortable looking black khakis. She'd seen a trunk in the guest bedroom on her walk downstairs. He placed the food in front of her with a flourish. The amount almost nauseated her, her raging emotions eating away at her stomach.
"Eat," he instructed easily. She took a bite, and the sugary pancakes seemed to give her, her appetite back immediately. Draco watched for a moment, as she dug in, and then smiling softly to himself, covertly added something over his food. True enough there was a potion mixed into the food. One which would cause Hermione to eat until her body felt it was full. Until she was healthily saturated. They both finished eating at around the same time. Draco felt refreshed, though he'd slept little, and Hermione looked a little less pale. She was just standing up to bring the dishes to the sink when a resounding pounding on the door echoed into the kitchen. The doorbell rang once.
"Hold on!" she called...Her voice quivering, though the quiver was barely noticeable. Draco stayed in the kitchen as she walked to the door. She opened it a crack, then fully when she saw the police.
"Goodmorning officer. Something I can do for you?" she asked, knowing full well the script that would play out from here.
"You're Hermione Granger?"
"Yes..." she said trying her best to look confused.
"Is something wrong"
"There's been a bombing Miss Granger. Back in the states. You're parents...You're parents were killed."
"Oh...My...God...No..You're...." she grasped the door tightly, her knuckles almost turning white.
"I'm sorry Miss Granger," a few tears rolled from his eyes, while her face was pale with shock.
"I knew them, great people...Anyone I should call for you?"
"No...a...a friend is staying with me."
"Mona?"
"Yes...Catching up on old times..."
"Great kid...If you need anything. Anything at all, call the dispatcher. She'll connect you to me."
"Thank you...Officer...Dolory" she said, reading his badge quickly. He tipped his hat softly, and head hanging made his way down the drive.
Draco curled up on the couch later that day with his charms book and a roll of parchment. Working on an essay. Hermione wandered around the kitchen. Sipping a diet soda here and there. She finally looked to the pile of letters on the table. The parchment letter, heavier than the rest, and larger, taking dominance. She wondered what was so important that the ministry had taken such steps to bring it to her. Why not send it by owl? Finally, curiosity got the better of her. She slowly slit it open and poured the contents out.
Several things fell out, on top of a pile was a picture, one that she was sure she'd seen before...She closed her eyes, and pictured it as if it was yesterday. It was hanging over the fireplace. Turning this picture over, she traced her finger over the writing. Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw
She continued to flip through, and found a birth certificate. With the same name, her parents were listed as Michael and Lucia Ravenclaw. There had to be something wrong...Who were these people...and who was Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw? Finally a letter followed the birth certificate. Hoping it would clear things up, she slit the seal, a raven, and looked at the writing for a moment. It was dated exactly 15 years prior to the current date.
Dearest Hermione,
If you are reading this, then the worst has truly happened. Michael and I feared it would, but it was inevitable. We only hoped we could save you from the same fate. I'm truly sorry that you've been deceived for the past years...No doubt you are now around 16, that is when we instructed the ministry to hand this to you. If they didn't, then tell them I will berate them in the next life. My name is Lucia Granger-Ravenclaw. Though barely anyone remembers me a Granger. I know that you know the name. We had a large family, back in Ireland, and you're 'father' is my true cousin, though way out on the family tree. I'm sure you've seen the birth certificate by now, though the ministry carefully erased any existence of your birth from the muggles, they know it's true. Dumbledore will approve it, I'm certain. I'm sorry we kept this from you, but it was for your own good. You see, Voldermort has been waiting for the Ravenclaw family to produce a female heir. You see, he is a true descendant of Slytherin, who lost Rowena to Godric. Of course, Rowena's brother married, and the line always produced male heirs. Until you. From the beginning you reminded people of her. And from the beginning, you tested your powers. At six months old you were levitating objects. Micheal was so proud, but we were both scared as well. Voldermort will seek you out, if he learns the truth. Micheal inherited his great-aunts powers. He was a powerful wizard, I was good with charms, but he was good all around. Voldermort knew he would have to kill us to find you. And since you're reading this, he accomplished the first part. But we will have made everything about your past disappear. Until now of course. In this envelope you'll find very little about your past, everything is tucked away in a storage room under the Leaky Cauldron. The key is in the envelope. Your true inheritance is in Gringotts. That key is also enclosed. We loved you so much Hermione...I wish you could remember us. Perhaps the pictures will help. I hope my cousins took good care of you, good luck and god bless.
Lucia
Hermione was sitting there, nearly an hour later, when Draco walked in. He had a quill tucked behind his ear and dug around in the refrigerator for a soda. He turned around and raised an eyebrow. Looking at the letters, keys, and papers spread out on the counter.
"You okay?" he asked softly. Not trying to pry into her business.
"Yeah…I can't talk about it right now though. Let me sort through this stuff. Are you up for a visit to Diagon Alley tonight? I need an owl…And I have to talk to Tom."
"Tom?"
"The owner of the Leaky Cauldron."
"Oh. Well I guess that's fine. We'll go after dinner, and eat there…?"
"Yeah sure," Draco nodded and started to leave, "Draco."
"Yeah?" he asked, turning to look at her.
"Thanks. For all of this, I'd be a mess if you weren't here."
"No problem," he smiled and left, going to finish his essay.
Hermione sat there for a while, staring at her birth certificate, and then opened up another small envelope. Tucked inside was a locket, she opened it, and sighed. Inside, was a picture of her, and of a brown haired witch waving frantically. Lucia. Hermione had to admit that she could see herself in bits of Lucia, and the woman was truly a beauty. She looked like she would have been fun to be around…Like she would have been a good mother. But Hermione couldn't concentrate on the "would have beens" she needed to figure out a plan. She shut the locket and slipped it on, tucking the actual locket under her shirt.
She finally opened her eyes and dumped the keys out. She tucked them in her pocket and took the letter to Tom as well. She piled everything else back into the envelope and shut the corner. Going into the refrigerator she pulled out some cold cuts and made herself some lunch, while eating her sandwich she put one together for Draco and placing it on a plate she carried it to the Living Room for him.
"Lunch…" Draco took the sandwich and smiled slightly, she noticed his essay was almost two feet long. The requirement being three feet, yet he seemed to be far from finished.
"We can go when you're finished…" Draco looked at her for a moment, and then shrugged.
"What was in the envelope?"
"I…I can't talk about it right now. Is that okay?"
"I'd like to know eventually. But I understand."
Hermione nodded gratefully and left the room, she wandered around the house, and landed upstairs, at the door to her, now adoptive, parents room. She placed her hand on the knob, and then finally opened it. Not much had changed since that last time she'd been in there, the summer before. It was pretty, the comforter was a bronze gold, and was designed with interlocking roses. The deep cherry wood of the bed and dresser was a good compliment. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of her mothers perfume and her fathers cool water cologne. She was overwhelmed with her loss all at once. She sat down on their bed, and just cried for a long time. She was still sobbing when Draco went in search of her nearly a half-hour later.
"Mione. Hermione…It's okay. Your fine," he pulled her close to him and she buried her head in his shoulder, feeling that safety again.
She finally quieted, as Draco patted her back softly. Wondering when her greif would grow smaller. All of a sudden Hermione sat back, and for a moment he thought he saw a flash of pure hatred and then it died. He hugged her softly and then helped her up.
"Maybe you should wait a while longer. Before you go through their things..."
"Yeah...I guess I should...Let's...Let's go to Diagon Alley."
Hermione stood up and took one more deep breath before leaving the room. Draco followed her out, and closed the door behind them, sighing. She disappeared into her room and returned with a clock fastened tightly over her blue tank top. She led the way to the fireplace and stepped in first, throwing down floo powder, she called
"Diagon Alley!" and in the blink of an eye she was swallowed by bright green flames. Draco followed suit, and before he knew it, he was facing Diagon Alley.
"We need to go to Gringotts first..."
"You have an account?" he asked surprised, looking at her.
"I do now." she said softly, leading the way through the crowded streets.
Though she hadn't received her Hogwarts letter yet, having been out of the country, many of the Hogwarts students had and she spotted quite a few Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw house students shopping. There were one or two Griffindors, but she didn't look like herself, and they didn't wave or bother to say hello. After all, she'd spent most of her time with Harry and Ron, why would Hermione Granger be strolling along Diagon Alley with Draco Malfoy.
They reached the bank and she took a deep breath before entering. Striding to the desk, followed closely by Draco she handed the goblin her key.
"I'd like to withdraw money from Vault 713" The goblin looked at her and then down at his register, it being open to the number already.
"Hermione Rowena Ravenclaw?" he asked in his somewhat high-pitched voice. Looking suspicious.
"Yes." she said.
"Well you have the key. Come now, we'll go get you your money." he led her to a waiting cart and handed her key to a different goblin.
The cart sped down the the track and 10 minutes later they slowed to a screeching halt in front of the vault. The goblin inserted the key and turned it, and the vault opened. Hermione did a double take. Draco's mouth fell open. Stacked nearly to the top of the vault, was the Ravenclaw fortune. She took only what she needed then nodded to the goblin, who shut the vault and handed her the key.
"Welcome back Miss Ravenclaw." She merely nodded, all at once feeling like she had been living an enormous lie.
Draco was staring at her, his eyes wide in disbelief. And again she felt like she shouldn't have brought him. It would have been better for him not to know. They piled back into the cart and made the 10 minute trip back to the surface. Draco helped her out this time, as her stomach was a little upset from the cart ride, something that reminded her of the roller coasters her friend Mona and her had used to love to ride. But she hadn't ridden on since the beginning of her witchcraft training.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were heir to the Ravenclaw fortune. You're not really muggle born are you? Micheal Ravenclaw has been dead for who-knows-how long and they've been searching for his daughter since he died. He left behind a mansion. The entire Ravenclaw castle. Jesus Mione. You'll be famous."
"You can't tell anyone...When Lucia and Micheal were killed they sent me to the care of my parents...Lucia's cousins. It was all in the letter...I'll talk to Dumbledore, but until then Draco...Keep this quiet. Please..." Her voice had an urgency in it that Draco couldn't help but pick up on.
It was then that he knew she was holding things back from him. But he didn't prod. She knew what was best. And it was apparent there was something that kept her from telling him.
He led the way to the owl emporium and they spent the next hour looking at owls as he taught her the best way to pick an owl out, how to tell if they were healthy. What the best breeds were, and who the best breeders were. Who's name to look out for and which owls weren't good message carriers. Finally they decided on a handsome tawny brown barn owl. She named him Archimedes.