Author's Note: Not much to say only wow…I got so many less reviews than last time. I have received an interesting one though and I have to commend you, Alex, for the conversations we have had over pm.

So this chapter isn't all that great. A filler really; but then again it is important. Anyhow enjoy and I do expect more reviews this time!

No matter…it isn't because of that, that I write.

Disclaimer: I don't own them…you should know that by now.

Chapter Three

Going Home

"So, Hermione, are you coming to the Burrow for Christmas?" Ron asked her. "I, mean mom said you and Harry could come"

"Sorry, Ron, mom and dad want me with them this Christmas. It would be pretty much our last Christmas together seeing as after this year you, Harry, and I'd be in the order as soon as we get out of here" Hermione shrugged at him. The truth was she and her parents were going back to their manor that holiday and that she would be meeting Lord Voldemort and becoming a death eater at the Malfoy's on Christmas Eve.

Ron said nothing. He seemed put out that she wouldn't be at the Burrow. He after all though she loved it there being muggle born it would have been the only—not counting Grimmauld Place—Wizarding home she'd been to.

"I'll be there, Ron" Harry said "Lupin said we might actually get to do something for the order as well"

Hermione looked up at that. She had not paid attention much to their conversation. After all it was happening during a class and she had to pay attention so as to get notes. "Really? I wonder what, but I can't come. There's family coming over and stuff" she said with a slight nod.

"I really don't know. He said that he'd tell us then. I guess only Ron and I" he turned to scribble down some notes "will be there though."

Hermione found it odd that the order would let them in on something. Molly Weasley was probably in over herself with worry what with the way she was when Harry only asked a couple of question about the order back in their fifth year. She hated how annoying the woman could be.

The bell rang and the trio walked out of professor Binns classroom. Hermione spotted Draco Malfoy walking somewhat close to them. He smiled as he passed by. "Wonder what's gotten into him" Ron said.

"Don't know" Hermione shrugged "No matter, as long as he isn't charming slugs to jump at us, we're okay"

Harry laughed. Ron glared at them. This had happened to him at the beginning of the year, back in September but what had been funny was that only he could see the slugs so that no one believed that they were jumping at him.

The past couple of weeks had gone by quickly and Hermione was getting nervous. She would be going home for Christmas the next day. Her parents had already sent her a letter telling her to come home which she was going to do anyways. After all she needed to in order to get to the Malfoy's dinner and so meet Lord Voldemort. But she also didn't want to be away from the order; something might be said that might be important.

The thought passed by quickly and soon she decided it would not work after all, the Burrow would be cramped and noisy. Christmas there would not be easy to endure.

At the end of the day Hermione found herself packing the few belongings she was taking home. She was in no need of clothes her mother would be buying the best, and most expensive things that would fit her. She did not need to be wearing the Hogwarts uniform after all or muggle clothes for that matter. She took few clothes. What she did take mostly were a few books she owned. Not that she would need that either. Truth was that she had a full library but what she wanted was the notes she had on the margins of her books.

"Going home, Hermione?"

She looked up to see Ginny enter the seventh year girl's dorm. "Yeah, Mom and dad want me home this holiday. I haven't spent much of my time with them since first year. They're muggles so I couldn't possibly and I guess because of this I feel a little guilt ridden, I just want to go and pretend everything is alright, I want to just be with them while I have the chance." Making herself sound like she needed some pity, it would make them forget a bit later on when she disappeared to go home or whatever it was that could and probably would happen.

Ginny nodded with a sympathetic smile "Ron and I really wanted you to come to the Burrow, then again you do have your own family. But you'll miss out on mom's cooking"

Hermione smiled at her. Her house elves cooked better. "Right, see you later, Gin" Hermione called after the red head when she finally left her.

Hermione finished putting the things she needed into her trunk. She unlike every other Christmas had not yet bought presents for her friends. She knew that during the holiday she could send them something from home. There were enough things lying about in that house magical and otherwise.

Lying down on the four poster bed Hermione sighed. She was going back to her true world. This time tomorrow night she would be sleeping in her swan feather pillows and silk sheets. She would have house elves doing anything she asked for, and she would be able to read again from her library. She would be back in her house, back in a place that she had always felt safe in.

Deciding that she needed to be down in the common room for looks she took a book from her trunk and walked down stairs with it on her hand.

Harry and Ron were sitting with their feet up on a table playing chess by the fire with Seamus and Neville as spectators. "Just finished packing, have you all packed?" she asked.

"I'm done. Can't forget anything otherwise Gran would get furious, I forgot her present here last Christmas, had to have Dumbledore send it over, it was a mess." Neville answered with a shudder.

"I'm half way done" Seamus said simply with a shrug. "Just my homework, and some presents and then I'll be done" he smiled at her.

Hermione turned to Harry and Ron. Ron chuckled lightly "I'm already packed. Ginny made me do it a little while ago. I tell you she's turning out so much like my dear mother"

Harry on the other hand said something Hermione could not hear.

"What was that, Harry?" she asked him in a sickish sweet voice. It was this voice which she had perfected over the years especially for Harry and Ron. But it wasn't as bad as much people brought it out to be. After all the baby voice was much worst.

He shuddered while the other boys chuckled before Ron answered for him. "He has it all thrown all over the place." Ron and the others laughed and Ron added as an after thought, "I think I have a pair of your socks in my trunk, mate"

Harry scowled. "I was searching for my tie earlier and well it got out of control. I'll do it after this game though" he gave her a grimace and then moved his knight.

Hermione just chuckled. She should have known at least one of them didn't have anything packed. She sat down and began to read her book which was surprisingly one of her favorites. Hogwarts, a History.

The rest of the night went on in the same manner until Hermione went off to Patrol with Harry. They were the head-boy and head-girl. They had to patrol only twice a week, had to plan the Hogsmade visits and make sure that there were enough teacher chaperones for those weekends. They also had a lot to do with the passwords of the houses.

They knew everything that went on in the castle and could deduct points, give out detentions and help out students with anything.

When Hermione returned to her dorm she found the others asleep. She figured they wanted to be up and early to pack. After all, Hermione realized, they hadn't done it yet. She went into an easy sleep that night and next morning woke up refreshed before any of her dorm mates. She usually did so she thought nothing of it.

Hermione took her trunk into the common and room after doing her morning routine and managing to keep every one of her things in their right place so the other girls would not take it on mistake as had happened before twice.

As soon as she was there she took out one of her books and began to read it. She decided that she would wait for Harry, Ron, and Ginny before heading off to breakfast. It was rather early anyways and she doubted anyone would be up for breakfast at this hour or that they even served it.

It was as she was getting to the third page of her book that a large eagle owl began tapping on the window. She recognized it as Draco Malfoy's. Anyone would recognize as it went into the great hall everyday for breakfast with his master.

Hermione allowed it in and took the note. The owl quickly flew off. Hermione saw on the envelope in a tidy scrawl was written To the Lady Sombroy. Hermione found this amusing. Once opening it she found only a small note.

Meet me at the tree in five to ten minutes

D.M

Hermione put her book away. She drew the cloak, which was Draco's, closer against her and went out into the cold hallways that were of Hogwarts at this time of year. Walking briskly she went outside. There was a small blanket of snow covering the ground and it was still snowing but not hard.

Draco was leaning against the tree wearing an identical cloak except in black. Hermione grinned and walked towards him putting her hands over his eyes. "Guess who?"

"Lady Sombroy" he whispered turning to her. She let her hands drop and nodded. He smiled. "I need to know where you will be this Christmas. Father said that I would be bringing you and your parents to our manor"

"I live at the Slytherin Manor of course. Well not at the moment but we will be there for the holiday. Today in fact I will be going there from King's Cross." Hermione said with a slight nod.

"Alright, it's just we figured you might go there but we did not know if you'd be at your muggle place." He shrugged. "So how are things?"

"They're fine. Harry and Ron are doing something for the order. I would be involved too but I do not want to go to the Burrow" she sighed "It'd be crowded in there and a complete mess. I don't believe I could be there for long before I scream"

Draco laughed "So Weasley does live in one room" he commented.

Hermione giggled "Not really, Draco, it's just the rooms are sort of small and tons of people are there. Ron himself will be rooming with Harry, Fred, and George in his room. Charlie and Remus are taking the Twin's room. Bill and Fleur have Percy's. Then Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have their room. Ginny is in her room with Tonks and another witch. I would be in there as well. It's a complete mess"

Draco laughed "They had too many kids" he shrugged.

"Yes" Hermione agreed "I will never have more then one or two kids." She said "I don't have patience for them but I would need an heir. Only reason to have kids"

"The same reason for me, I hate the little buggers. Maybe I would love my own but whatever" he turned to look at the almost frozen lake. "I love winter" he commented "It's as if everything dies and then it begins again better than before. It's what the dark lord wants. To end this and begin it all again with the ones that share his belief."

Hermione grinned "Yes, it would need change" she agreed. "Purity would have the power again but then Voldemort isn't the true ruler of the Wizarding world"

"Who is then?" Draco asked.

"I don't know but my parents said that to me once. They said that he had the right idea but that he himself was no pureblood and that he wouldn't belong on a throne. They said once a long time before all of this the Wizarding world had had a monarchy. They didn't explain much of it to me but they said it was all in the history of everything"

Draco looked somewhat interested. "It could be any of us" He said

"Any of the pureblood families could actually have the right and would be royalty"

"Or maybe even two of them" Hermione whispered "because one would be queen and the other king" she sighed dreamily "I wonder who it would be"

Draco nodded "It could be you" he said "you are the purest there is, your parents know the history maybe because it is in your family history. You are a Slytherin by blood and so really maybe Voldemort may not belong on a throne but he has more right to it then most people except maybe your family"

Hermione smiled then. "Ah, but Draco do you really think that the whole wizarding world could trust Salazar Slytherin with the task of keeping most of wizarding world safe?"

"I didn't say it had to be him" Draco laughed then "one of your relatives" he said "History can repeat itself" and then he looked around

"It's getting late. The carriages leave in two hours but your friends might wonder where you are?"

"They're not friends, they're the enemy" Hermione said in a whisper

"Good bye, Draco" with that she walked back towards the castle and its warmth but she was stopped halfway there by Draco "you forgot your good-bye kiss" he said in her arm wrapping his arms around her and softly meeting her forehead with his lips "I'll see you soon"

Hermione blushed; she had gotten a very deep tingly feeling down inside her stomach. As she entered Hogwarts she smiled.

-

-

-

"Where were you, Hermione?" Harry asked as she stepped into the Gryffindor common room minutes later.

"I went to the library to return some books. I left a note for Madame Pince. I didn't want them to be over due" she answered with a shrug. They seemed to buy it.

"Well, let's head down to get some food" Ginny said and the two boys stood in agreement.

After eating their breakfast they all got everything ready to go and made sure they had not forgotten anything before they headed with their trunks to the great hall.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the Burrow?" Ron asked again.

"I can't. I'll be busy with family and I do need to get my things packed for when we finish Hogwarts" she told him as they waited for the carriages. Soon they began to show up drawn by the Therestrals.

The four of them got in the first one. It took them to Hogsmade station where they would take the train. They got there in no less than five minutes. They took their trunks with them to the train and heaved them up into a compartment and then into the luggage rack.

"Anyone up for a game of exploding snap?" asked Ron once the train began to move. They all agreed and so began a game and followed that with another and then another until it was noon.

By noon Draco and his cronies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, entered their compartment. "Oh look there's the two Weasleys, The mudblood, and scar-head" Draco drawled.

Hermione fought the urge to laugh along with him, Crabbe, and Goyle. Instead she took out her wand "get out Malfoy" she said.

"No, I don't think so, Mudblood" he spat at her. Hermione scowled at him.

"Don't call her that" Ron shouted in anger. His ears were turning red. Hermione sat down still scowling. Ginny though noticed there was something in her eyes.

"Trying to get her to like you, Weasley? Everyone knows she doesn't. Then again you are a Weasley; I guess you don't understand when we speak to you. Hermione Granger does not like you" he said the last bit slowly as if speaking with a child. He then smirked and then his eyes met Hermione's and he left.

"I'm going to the bathroom" Hermione said in a shaky voice. Ron looked at her concerned but she would not meet his gaze. She needed to laugh and would not be able to do it in there.

"I'll come with you" Ginny offered.

"No, don't bother" Hermione said and with that left. She laughed outside and found Draco standing only a few compartments away.

"Ron probably thinks I'm crying my eyes out!" she laughed. "But I just found what you said to Ron hilarious" her hands were on his chest. He smirked at her and her and took both her hands in his and then pinned her against the compartment door pressing her onto it "Tell me, Sombroy, you enjoy this"

Hermione laughed and pushed him away. "I'll have to get back in a few minutes!"

"Alright" he said simply pulling her towards him and looking down at her. "See you on Christmas Eve!" he said and let her go.

Hermione was out of breath. He had such an affect on her and yet she knew that somehow it was nothing more than a lusty attraction. She got herself back to normal and then walked back into the compartment.

"I'm alright" she said "Just needed to curse Malfoy" she shrugged and then sat down.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. When they arrived Hermione took her trunk with the rest and went out onto the platform. She was hugged by Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley then Harry, and Ron, and finally Ginny. After saying goodbye she walked past them toward her parents disguised as muggles under the Polijuice potion.

"Let's go home" she whispered to them and they walked out through the gateway. From there they made their way into a secluded place and all apparated to the front door of an enormous house.

A house elf opened it and squealed in delight "Welcome home, Misses, Master" it said and allowed them inside.

The house was as beautiful as the day they had left it. The gardens well taken care of by the house elves, the fountains in those gardens were as clean as ever and spouting water. The house itself looked magnificent. The windows all were clear the house had no vines growing on it and looked clearly taken cared of.

"Home sweet home" Lucretia Sombroy said breathing in deeply. It smelt somewhat like cinnamon.

"Yes" Mythir Sombroy agreed. "We're home at last"

Hermione smiled at her parent's reactions. She herself was happy.

"I'm going to see my room" she said and ran up the stairs taking them two at a time. Her room was in the fourth floor of the house. She had to run through many doors, hallways, stairs, and some rooms just to get there. After all to someone who didn't know the house as well as she did they would never find her room. It was why it was made so.

For intruders of any sort would get lost in the enormous maze that was the Sombroy house, they would not find what they were looking for and even if they did getting out was a whole different story.

The moment Hermione opened the large two doors that led into her room she smiled with joy. There it was her room again. Her canopy King bed with its light green covers. Her walls of lavender with the white wood crown mouldings and frames. Her large windows overlooking the front garden and the forest just past it then there was the small sitting room with a love seat and two small couches. The small window seat and her walk in closet that had anything and everything she wanted from shoes to jewellery to robes for formal occasions to the ones for normal wear. Then there were the muggle dresses and the many different purses and make up she had.

Hermione looked over the closet for a while and then with a happy nod went back into the main room and threw herself at her bed. She had yet not ventured into her bathroom, but it would have to do later for now she was happy to be back; very happy indeed.

Author's Note: I shall update soon…in the meanwhile go check out the banner for this fic in my profile and while you're at it check out my new Sirius/Hermione if you're into that pairing…also review!

Lupin's Mistress