A Joke, Right?

This had to be a joke.

How had things changed so fast?

More importantly, why the hell was everything not slowing down?

Time waits for no one.

Leave it to the Slytherin to shock her further by making a brutally honest comment.

All voices in the head aside, Hermione had more important things to focus on. Such as, the unconcerned man seated opposite her. All she wanted to do was smack that look off his face, but found that she was weakened too much by all the overwhelming information she had received today.

So instead of seeing red like she had each time so far, Hermione's body simply went slack upon hearing the news. Her wand lay loosely in her hand and it was surprising that gravity had not claimed it as its latest victim. She fell onto the bed and tried to calm the swirling thoughts in her head.

You can do this Hermione… don't freak out, you've done that enough… find out what's going on and then go from there…

While Hermione calmed her raging emotions the man opposite her worked nearly as hard to keep his hidden. Although the Gryffindor girl only saw was an uncaring man, his insides were twisting with many conflicting emotions. After sixteen and a half years of searching and coming so close to finding his daughter she was now only three feet in front of him.

Really, he wanted nothing more than to envelop her in a hug, but he had a feeling that would not go over well. If she was anything like her mother she would give him a one way trip to St. Mungo's for even a pat on the back. He was not willing to take a chance on that since he could already see the resemblances between Cassandra and Hermione in their mannerisms and looks. Even after so long Edmond remembered with perfect clarity how Cassandra would scrunch her nose when something displeased her just as Hermione did when he first looked at her. He already knew from various people that Hermione was easily the brightest girl at Hogwarts and she probably could surpass many of the teachers as well. Obviously she had inherited her mother's intelligence.

Edmond forced himself to stop his inner musings. He was aware of a time limit that had been placed upon their meeting and had to keep things moving even if she did not react… cordially.

Making sure his mask of serenity was firmly in place he cleared his throat lightly to get the attention of the room's only other occupant.

Hermione flinched a bit at the sudden noise. She sat up to face her… father. The term even sounded odd in her head. She imagined it would sound a hundred times more awkward if she ever started saying it out loud.

"I…" she cleared her throat a little before continuing. Edmond contained the wince that threatened to escape him at the sight of her red-rimmed eyes. "I have many questions, but I doubt you will even want to answer all of them."

Edmond sighed at the note of accusation that he heard in her voice.

"Unfortunately we do not have enough time at the present moment to answer all of your questions. Make no mistake though; I do fully intend to answer them sometime in the near future."

Hermione wondered exactly how near that future was, but saw no need to waste some of their time on a question like that.

"Alright, let's start with something simple. What is your name?"

"I was born Edmondo Vidal Zabini, but I go by Edmond."

Hermione's jaw literally dropped. She opened and closed her mouth a few times soundlessly before speaking with skepticism lining her voice.

"You must be kidding. No, now I know this is a dream. I hit my head on the door frame and now I'm delusional. There is no way that I am related to Blaise Zabini."

"Blaise… is your half brother." Related to a Slytherin; surely this was every Gryffindor's dream.

"I suppose you never told him about me. If he knew he probably would not have looked at me like I was something nasty on the bottom of his shoe."

She sounded rather bitter about this. Edmond knew how Hermione was treated at school since he tried to find out everything he could about his daughter upon learning her name. The way her own brother treated her was deplorable at best and something would have to be done about this. Although, instead of reprimanding him about the past he might warn him to protect Hermione the upcoming school year. If, and most likely when, the students of Hogwarts found out their Gryffindor princess was related to Blaise things could become hostile.

Edmond may have been pondering her future after this news was released, but Hermione was more focused on his past. Sure she was related to the best friend of the Amazing Bouncing Ferret, but she would think about the consequences of that later. Now though, her mind had brought forth another interesting question concerning her- erm, Edmond.

"What house were you in at Hogwarts?" Hermione questioned quietly. She was nearly certain of the answer, but felt like asking anyways.

"Slytherin, but we all are not nearly as evil as the other Houses like to think, especially the brave Gryffindors. I, like several other Slytherins, was sorted into that house because I am quite intelligent, cunning when necessary, and will stop at nothing to achieve my goals. Even if those goals require doing some things of questionable legality. The majority of us were never interested in ridding the world of Muggleborns and making all the muggles bow down before us. I, for one, was happy when Voldemort was finally destroyed." Edmond inclined his head slightly towards Hermione. The world was finally rid of Voldemort after the efforts of her, Harry, and Ron. Most of the Wizarding world was still in shock that a sixteen-year-old boy was able to defeat such a powerful yet evil wizard. "He was nothing more than a crazed half-blood with a penchant for blood." Edmond finished with a gleam of hate in his eyes.

Hermione considered his view of Slytherin House. Unlike Harry and Ron, Hermione did not believe that all Slytherins were horrible, evil idiots. True, there were Slytherins of questionable sanity whose only thoughts consisted of "die Mudbloods die", but Hermione felt it was unfair to group them all in that category. Though they are not all devil incarnates, there was still no denying that the students of the Slytherin House will forever be sneaky little bastards.

"What House was my mother in?" Hermione asked without even a slight tremor in her voice. She felt awkward still, about her mother, but something was developing in her. Before, all Hermione felt about Cassandra was curiosity, now though she was saddened by the loss of someone she never knew. Of course though, she fought to control the increasing feelings in her lest they show on her face. Whether or not Slytherins were devil incarnates, they were still not known for their overwhelming compassion.

I think I can understand how Harry feels now.

"Ah, although I think that woman would have made an excellent Slytherin, for Cassandra, wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."

"Ravenclaw?

Edmond nodded.

"She was easily the brightest witch of her day. By earning some of the highest scores on her OWLs and NEWTs that Hogwarts has ever seen, she surpassed the smartest Ravenclaws. I was glad of it. Those Ravenclaws were a stuck up lot who either had their nose buried in a book or high in the air. Rumor is though, that you are the first student in years within her league." Edmond said with a tinge of pride evident in his voice. It was slight, but still there.

"The Sorting Hat did almost put me in Ravenclaw…"

"I suppose it saw a bit too much recklessness in you to cement a place there."

Hermione merely gave him a glare at this statement, although, it lacked the heat of her previous ones.

"Let's move on." Hermione said forcefully."Why exactly could you not find me all these years?"

"Your mother had a number of enchantments on you that kept you well hidden. I still am not certain what spells she used although I have a feeling that they were modified by her. I have spent all of nearly sixteen years searching for you and every time I thought I was near I hit a roadblock. Honestly, I had all but given up a month ago when something miraculous happened.

A small girl with bushy brown hair walked past me in Flourish & Blotts. She headed towards the counter to purchase her books and I moved to stand behind her. That was it though, I could not move a muscle. At first I assumed some fool had cursed me while my back was turned, but when you turned around to leave I thought otherwise. You see Hermione, although your mother changed your eyes, lips and hair… I could still sense there was something special about you. That I was freed of my invisible bonds as soon as you stepped out the door could not have been a mere coincidence either.

So as soon as I was freed I followed you. I assume you had apparated or ducked into a store for you were not present in all of Diagon Alley. Immediately, I left and went home to research this new development. What I found was enough to convince me there was more to Hermione Granger than everyone thought."

"What do you mean?" Maybe he means the fact that you possess some very Slytherin traits for a bloody Gryffindor. You should consider having that tattered hat plopped on your head again. Green and silver would be very flattering on you.

Seems the Slytherin had increased the snarky comments.

"I found that your documentation did not quite add up and by doing a little digging found the truth. With a few potions and spells I made it possible to be near you and the rest was done for me. Cassandra had enough decency to have the spells wear off once I found you and figured everything out. Not that it was an easy task." He continued more to himself than Hermione "Probably thought I would not be able to solve her cryptic little message."

Hermione was about to ask him more about her mother and the message he had just mentioned when she was interrupted by a loud-

CRACK

A house elf in a clean, pressed dress appeared next to Edmond.

"You do realize this is my room, correct?" Hermione muttered. Edmond ignored her.

"Sir, you told Faery to tell you if you had been gone for more than an hour and it has been an hour and one minute." The little house elf gave a respectful curtsy after she delivered her message and then stood with a straight back waiting for her master's words.

Hermione was rather shocked by the appearance of the creature. She was so well dressed and respect shone in her eyes when looking at Edmond, not the fear Hermione was used to seeing in defenseless house elves. A spark of admiration flared in Hermione for Edmond. Anyone who could treat house elves with the courtesy the rest of the Wizarding world denied them was considered decent in her book.

"Thank you Faery, I will arrive at the Manor shortly. Could you prepare the den for me and my children?"

"Yes Master." With that, the house elf known as Faery apparated away. Hermione turned towards Edmond with several things running through her mind.

"Faery? Really?" Edmond gave a small smile at this.

"I found it amusing, although the fairies in the garden were rather peeved at first. Vain creatures fairies." Hermione resisted the urge to snort at this. True, they were vain, but fairies could be quite devious if they wanted to.

"She seems to be treated well." The attempt at casual Hermione gave did not fool Edmond. He answered with the same small smile he had given her before.

"I know of S.P.E.W Hermione, but perhaps we should discuss it another day. As you may have heard I told Faery to arrange the room for my children: both of them."

The meaning of this had escaped Hermione since her attention was focused on the house elf. A meeting between his children… oh no.

"Blaise. I have to attend tea with Blaise Zabini." She only received a frown at the dismal tone she had taken. Before Edmond could remind her that she too was a Zabini, Hermione voiced her other concern.

"How do I know I can trust you? I mean this could be some elaborate scheme to get me defenseless and easily kidnap me."

"Just trust me, but if that is not enough take a look at the back of your left shoulder. Join me when you are ready; it is time to meet your brother."

"Sadly, I have already met him."

Her comment was once again ignored. Instead, Edmond inclined his head towards Hermione and turned around to face the fireplace. He took a handful of the green sparkling powder and threw it into the flames.

"Zabini Manor."

As her father disappeared into the flames Hermione lifted her collar to the side to peek at the back of her shoulder. She gasped when she saw an ornate Z that had definitely not been there before. Hermione angrily grabbed some floo powder and followed the most puzzling man she had ever met.

~TBC~

A/N: I have decided to never tell you when to except a new chapter because I just fail immensely when I say that. It's like I have some button in me that goes off as the day approaches saying DO NOT WRITE even if I have ideas. Damn that button. Not to mention my sporadic moments of idiocy that harm my laptop. If you read my last A/N then you know how I said my update length was only because of my laptop getting an awful virus? Yeah, well I think I cursed myself because not an hour after I typed that my laptop was dropped. Some guy walking behind me on the street ran into me and the screen broke when it hit the pavement. Should I have knocked on wood after typing that note last chapter or something? Right now I'm on a friend's computer so no clue when the next chapter will be out. We finally get the Zabini and Hermione meeting next time! This whole chapter was just so you could know a bit more about Edmond. Oh, how I love him and my little Slytherin. Hmm, maybe I just love aspects that were of my own creation.

Thank you again for any reviews, alerts and favorites.

At last, the end of this epically long author's note. Arrivederci! xxxxxxx