"No, thank you. I-I've made up my mind already."

Minerva leaned forward eagerly. She knew that Ms. Granger would most likely accept, but she couldn't help the nerves that fluttered within her stomach, something that she had not felt for a very long time.

"I would like to go, madam," Hermione said softly. "I think this is a wonderful opportunity."

Minerva gave a small smile. She realized that she didn't even know the girl's name. "Here is the list of what you need, Ms. Granger," she said, making the said list appear and hover in front of her. She plucked it out of the air and handed it to Hermione, who didn't seem as astonished as Minerva had expected.

"These are the basics. I will take you shopping for everything personally."

Hermione beamed. "When, madam?"

Minerva thought this over. "I believe I can accommodate you right now, Ms. Granger," she said. "Now, we will be going to a place called Diagon Alley, where we will find shops that sell everything on the list.

First-year students will require:

Uniform Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)

One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear

One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times.

Books

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

1 Wand

1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set of brass scales

Students may also bring an Owl, a Cat or a Toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.

Hermione mock-gaped at the list. She'd read all of the magic books already–through Tom's eyes. She almost laughed aloud as the thought occurred to her: she didn't even need the broomstick.

She found her voice. "We will find everything on this list?"

Minerva nodded.

Hermione grinned suddenly. "Well, what are we waiting for?" She bounced up. "Should I change my clothes?"

Minerva eyed her. "I would suggest it. I believe jeans will work. Perhaps you could also find a way of, ah, taming your hair?"

Hermione was slightly annoyed, but she hid it well as she inclined her head and rushed up the steps. She quickly changed out of the paint-splotched jumper and reached out to Tom. Father, I'm in! She cried exuberantly.

Tom's voice caressed her mind. Very good, daughter. Now, put on that pretty top I gave you for your birthday.

Hermione did so, and stood in front of her mirror as she smoothed her hair with some Frizz-Free potion she'd made over the summer. She wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with bell-sleeves. Interestingly, the shirt was red with gold trim. She wound a green and silver scarf around her neck and smirked. She was wearing her colors.

She wondered briefly what the Sorting Hat would do about her Slytherin blood and Gryffindor nature.

She walked back down the stairs.

As Minerva stood waiting for Hermione, Emma came back in. "Professor, may I speak with you in private please?" Minerva nodded and followed Emma into a small library. "Um, will Hermione be referred to as a Mudblood?"

Minerva was taken aback for a minute. "How...How do you know that word?" She asked suspiciously.

Emma sighed. "Please don't freak out," she said softly. She lowered the glamour that had protected her for many years, showing a slender young woman with long, tousled black hair, pale skin, and the bluest eyes Minerva had ever seen.

And she had seen them. Once.

"Dear Merlin!" She exclaimed, pressing a hand to her chest. "Eileen...Riddle?"

Emma brought the glamour back up, once more seeming like a bosomy middle-aged woman with the same curly brown hair as her daughter. "Please, Minerva," she begged, "Don't tell anyone except the Headmaster."

Minerva nodded, still in shock. "How are you alive?" She asked softly.

Emma sighed, running her hand through her tangled, bushy hair. "I took Hermione and ran. If Tom was going to start a war, I wanted neither Hermione nor myself having anything to do with him."

So the girl's name was Hermione. A fine name meaning well-born, and indeed she had been. Daughter of the Dark Lord!

Minerva stepped forward and hugged Emma. "I'm glad you're alive, Leenie."

Hermione skipped in then, her eyes taking in the sight of the elderly professor embracing her mother. "Uh, I can come back?" She offered. Minerva untangled herself from Emma's arms and shook her head.

"No, Ms. Granger, I am ready."

"What were you talking about?" Hermione asked, although she already knew the answer.

"Nothing that concerns you, dear," Emma said soothingly.

If it's about me, doesn't that concern me? She asked Tom, disgruntled.

His answering laughter was comforting; a sound she knew well. I would say so, yes, Enna, but your mother does not always see it as such.

Hermione pulled away from her father's mind and returned to the real world. "Shall we, Professor?" She asked. Minerva nodded and motioned Hermione go first.

As Hermione walked out the door, Minerva took the time to examine her. She was wearing Gryffindor colors, yes, but also Slytherin's. She eyed the scarf in trepidation. She had never known anything good to happen around green and silver.

They arrived at Diagon Alley; Hermione pretended to be amazed when the wall fell away when tapped by Minerva's wand in a certain pattern. She made a mental note of the order.

They quickly bought the required books and most of the equipment, saving the robes and wand for last. They walked to Ollivander's.

They tried several wands, finally settling on one: 10 3/4 inches, made of vine wood, and had a center made from a dragon heartstring, which Ollivander said was very rare (a word that Hermione had heard many times concerning her).

Minerva was suitably impressed by the wand that chose Hermione. She had never heard about a wizard or witch owning a wand with a dragon heartstring in the center, and that was saying a lot.

Finally, they went to Madame Malkin's, a robe shop, where they bought everything needed. A pale-faced, pointy-chinned boy sneered at Hermione.

"Filthy Mudblood!"

Hermione paid no attention. She knew that the words did not change who she really was, so she didn't really care what she was called.

Tom's voice was indignant. That scum. He's Lucius Malfoy's boy. He doesn't know who you truly are; don't let him know.

Minerva's voice was quite indignant as well. "Draco Malfoy, if I ever hear that word directed at Ms. Granger again, I will wash your mouth out with soap."

Draco mumbled to himself. Filthy Muggle-born. She had no right being here, breathing the same air as Purebloods.

They finally left, having bought everything needed, and were quite tuckered out. "I will see you tomorrow, Ms. Granger," Minerva said, touching Hermione's shoulder as they stood in front of her house. "I will escort you to the train. Be ready, bright and early!"

Hermione waved at Minerva as she walked down the driveway.

Minerva watched Hermione go into the house. She almost laughed at the 'insult' Draco Malfoy had called Hermione. If only he knew. She shook her head.

Then she realized something: Vivienna wasn't the only child of Tom Riddle.

There was another, a boy.

Severus Snape.

A/N: Alright, how am I doing? Please review! Pretty please with a cherry and whipped cream and sugar and hot fudge sauce on top? *puppy dog eyes*

I have to get back to school now (blech). Will Minerva tell Severus that he has a sister? Will he remember?

Find out next time!

~ 4ever