Hermione smiled nervously. "Hi guys."
All she received were two very stern looks. "How could you just leave without telling us anything? I thought we were your best friends."
Hermione looked between Ron and Harry. Finally she sighed and said, "I have business to take care of ok?"
"Business that requires you to leave your house and your friends? What kind of business is that pray tell?"
"How did you find me anyways."
"Simple location spell. But don't change the subject! What business are you up to Hermione?" Harry demanded. He cared deeply for his best friend and wanted nothing more than to watch over her but she was being difficult.
After a few minutes of silence Ron stepped forward and crossly accused Hermione of not trusting them. Then he made a move to storm out of the room but Hermione stopped him. "Wait. I'll tell you guys but just let me think for a moment."
'How much should she let them know? Should she let them know her family tradition was following the dark side? What did it even matter anymore though? The Dark Lord was dead and he was not coming back. Plus, she could use her friends' support and aid.'
After a pregnant pause, she began to explain. "My 'parents' told me on my birthday that they're not my real parents and now I'm on a search for the truth."
Both Harry and Ron had a frown on their faces. "Who are your real parents then?"
"The Menos."
"OH. I've heard of them" exclaimed Ron. "Mummy told me about them when I was younger. Said they were awfully evil people…"
"You sure you want to find your parents 'Mione? They sound frightening." Exclaimed Harry.
"Yes. I need to know why they left me and also why they didn't show up again when Voldemort came back. I want to know the truth. That's all."
"Then we'll definitely help you Hermione. Definitely."
Hermione beamed at her best friends before telling them about the affinity between the Malfoys and the Menos. If anyone knew where the Menos were, it'd be the Malfoys.
…..
Early the next morning, Hermione set out to find the Malfoys. Thanks to Harry, she had learned of the Malfoy's muggle address. When they asked if Hermione wanted them to come along, she politely refused and promised to relay all information back to them. That seemed to satisfy their thirst for knowledge.
…..
"Ding Dong" Hermione was suddenly very nervous to see her former classmate and his family. How were they like now?
Five minutes passed before the front door swung open to reveal Narcissa Malfoy in pajamas. "What do you want?"
Quite timidly Hermione asked if Draco was home.
"He's not. He's out working somewhere. Would you like me to deliver a message to my son?"
"No no. It's all right. I was hoping to talk to you as well. May I come in?"
"Uh. I guess so. Take off your shoes though. I hate cleaning after people."
Hermione complied and as she took her shoes off she noticed many shoes lying around the door. She shrugged it off though and simply thought that the Malfoys just liked shoes.
Narcissa lead her to the living room of the modest sized home. "How can I help you…miss?"
Hermione wasn't surprised that Narcissa couldn't recognize her. She had altered herself after all.
"…I was wondering if you knew where the Menos lived."
"…Why do you ask about the Menos?" Narcissa narrowed her eyes.
Inside Hermione wanted to scream, "because I'm their daughter you twit!" but on the exterior she simply said, "I'm curious about them."
"Well, I know nothing of their whereabouts. Please leave." Narcissa spoke a bit too fast and Hermione caught on that Mrs. Malfoy was most definitely hiding something. However, she decided not to probe into it today. She got up to leave and thanked Narcissa for her time. Then she headed towards the library for a day of peaceful reading.
Little did she know that her visit at the Malfoy's had not gone unnoticed. There had been someone watching their interaction the entire time…
…..
Hermione was on her way home from the library when she noticed someone following her. She walked faster. The pursuer walked faster as well. She took one look behind her and saw the man had his face covered. She broke into a mad sprint and was almost at her apartment when the follower caught her by the wrist. She was about to pull out her wand and hex the muggle when out of nowhere a furry paw smacked the man in the face.
"Bear!"
The man lunged towards her bear-costumed savior and attempted to punch him but he dodged. This repeated several times before the bear winded back his arm and punched the man in the face. The man fell to the floor unconscious with a tiny puddle of blood.
"Thank you bear" Hermione reached out and hugged the bear tightly. Awkwardly the bear hugged her back and patted her to calm her down.
"It's alright now," a deep voice muttered.
Hermione looked around and saw no one but the bear. Was this the first time the bear spoke? Hermione was so excited she began to bombard the bear with questions.
"Name?"
"Age?"
"Nationality?"
"Weight?"
The bear merely chuckled and turned to leave.
"Wait! Why can't you tell me your name? Do I know you? At least tell me if I know you!" Hermione near shouted.
The bear cast a mysterious glance back at Hermione and whispered, "It's not hard to discern who you are with everything you've told me in the past few days. Yes, you know who I am." Then the bear turned and left without another look back.
Hermione was left dumbstruck and staring after the back of a man in a bear costume. She really was dying to know who it was that had saved her twice already.
However there were even more pressing matters at hand. She needed to find her parents and ask them why she was abandoned. She would go and visit the Malfoys again tomorrow and see if she could find out anything more. It was a Saturday tomorrow after all. Draco would probably be home and Hermione knew that Draco was never a good liar. She was going to get to the bottom of this mystery and soon.
Author's Note: How is the story so far? Should I continue with it? I bet everyone can guess who the bear is by now. Hehe. Read and review please~~3
