There were other items in the small box, an ornate candlestick, a small bag of other jewelry, but it was the ring that stood out. It was very obviously a signet ring, meant to seal letters with wax and establish identity.

Neither Hermione nor Draco said anything as they stared down at the contents of the box.

Finally Draco said "Scoop all of that up, we need to leave here now."

Obeying the urgency in his voice, Hermione grabbed everything from the box and shoved it in to her small bag. Draco took her by the elbow and quickly walked her from the bank to a place where they could safely apparate back to Hogsmeade.

"Draco what…?" Hermione began, only to be silenced by Draco with a finger to his lips. With a frown she was quiet, confused by his tense facial expression.

Draco didn't say another word as he ushered them quickly to Hogwarts. Nor did he allow them to stop when people greeted them. He kept a hand on Hermione's elbow and strode quickly and determinedly to the Head's common room.

Once inside he poured both of them a firewhiskey and sat down on the overstuffed chair on "her" side of the room and ran his hand through his hair. He was clearly relieved to be safe within the halls of Hogwarts, but what Hermione did not understand was why he was so relieved.

After a time he said "That ring… that is not a good thing to find locked up in your parent's vault, Hermione."

"Why? Whose is it? What does it mean?" His strange behavior was starting to frighten her. Sitting across from him she waited as patiently as she could.

It was quite some time before he answered her. "That is the seal of the Greengrass family. It likely has several alarms that go off if anyone touches it who is not a Greengrass."

Now it made sense "And I touched it, so…"

"So whoever the Greengrasses have set to watch for that ring to be disturbed were going to land all over us very quickly." He looked down at her bag like it could potentially explode.

Fearfully Hermione put on a glove and pulled the items from her bag and set them on the table in front of her. She was careful not to touch anything with her bare skin.

"I don't understand how my parents could have had these things in their safety deposit box." Hermione frowned at the objects before her.

"There was a letter with your name on it… if… if you want me to leave while you open it…" Draco had no idea why he was suddenly being considerate of her feelings when he had spent seven years being incredibly inconsiderate of them.

"NO!" she said quickly and perhaps a bit louder than she had intended. "No, I mean, you are welcome to stay if you want that is, you don't have to if there is something else you need to do…"

"I will stay." He said quietly. Noticing the way her hands shook as she started to pick up the envelope, Draco reached out to steady her hands. When he did his pinky finger brushed over hers causing their marks to come in to contact.

When they did… something clicked. A feeling he couldn't describe roared to life inside of him. A feeling of deep possessiveness. From the way her cheeks flushed he guessed Hermione must have felt something as well. Neither of them mentioned it. She did, however, manage to still the trembling in her hands.

Sliding her fingernail under the envelope's seal Hermione shook out the letter and unfolded it. The handwriting was her father's.

My Dearest Daughter Hermione,

If you are reading this it means your mother and I are dead or missing. It also means we did not explain the circumstances of your birth before that happened.

We have known for some time that we are potentially in danger. The headmaster of your school, Professor Dumbledore came to see us and explained the dangerous war you are embroiled in. We wished to have you returned to us immediately but we, as well as your headmaster, knew that it was unlikely to stop you from continuing on with the battle, whether you were willing or not. That merely being away would not guarantee your safety, in fact it would likely do the opposite.

It was decided that for your own safety as well as ours that the safest place for you was at your school where very powerful people could help to protect you. We were told we were also in danger from this extremist group. Your headmaster offered to put us in to protective custody. Before that happens I knew I needed to explain your background to you. In case I could not do so in person I am writing this letter. God willing you will never need to read it.

When you came to us your mother had several miscarriages and two infants who did not survive birth. We had finally decided upon adoption. It was your mother's wish that you never know. She never wanted you to feel like anyone had not wanted you when she had wanted you so very desperately.

You were no more than three or four months old when we took you from the hospital. All that we knew about your past was that you had been abandoned on a bus inside a bag with the other objects you have found in the safety deposit box. We were unable to finalize the adoption until you were two as every avenue to find your birth parents had to be exhausted first. But we were allowed to take you home and love you.

The objects you were found with may be a key to your past but we cannot know for certain. They had been kept in police custody until quite recently. Your headmaster was able to secure them for you and said that when the time you would know what to do with them. I certainly hope he was correct.

Your mother and I are packing to leave now. We have been assured we will be reunited when the war is over. I do not know when Dumbledore will send people for us. I hope it is soon you know how your mother gets when left to pack for too long. I suspect we will have everything except the garden trellis in our bags if I am not watchful.

Know that you were wanted and loved from the moment we laid eyes upon you. Never doubt that.

Your loving father,

Chris Granger 1997/06/28

Hermione silently handed the letter to Draco to read. After he laid it aside she said "This was written two days before Dumbeldore died. And only weeks before I obliviated them."

Draco did not know how to respond. If he had not been sent to kill Dumbledore, Hermione's parents would likely still be alive.

As though sensing his thoughts, Hermione squeezed his hand as she stood up. "Don't think on it. There is no guarantee that he could have got them to safety. He was already dying."

Draco had been told this by Snape after their escape, but it did not make him feel any better.

Hermione picked up the other piece of paper that was with the letter. It was an old news clipping dated March 26th 1980.

"Infant Girl Found Abandoned on Bus in London. Birth Parents Sought."

"I don't understand what any of this means." Hermione fretted, pouring them both another glass of firewhiskey."

"It means we need to find out who or what is in Astoria Greengrass's tomb." Draco said somberly.