Chapter 9:

Hermione awoke early on Thursday morning with the final draft to her biological family fresh in her mind. She practically ran down the stairs with a piece of parchment and her quill. She sat down at the table and wrote her letter, she had her studious face on so most of the students who entered the common room didn't bother her. She finished just in time for her two boys to come down for breakfast, she folded the letter and put it in her pocket and followed them down to the Great Hall. She didn't talk too much, instead she listened to them debate about quiddich. She smiled at how Ron said that if he made the team that he would make sure that the Gryffindor team won. They arrived at the table and sat in their usual spots with Ginny sitting next to Hermione filling their plates. Their conversations drifted to those of school and how much the house hated Umbridge.

Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice, "Morning Granger."

"Draco." Hermione responded without looking up.

"My parents send their regards."

"What for?" Finally looking at him

"They know how difficult this year is going to be for you."

"They don't KNOW anything ferret boy."

"Well they said that you better keep in touch with your muggle parents, mud blood, because they don't for see them living much longer with these awful rumors running around about you-know-who."

"Oh yeah and why is that?"

"Oh there are those that know that you are the friend of the Great Harry Potter. They will probably kill them." This caused Hermione to tear up; she turned away from him so that he wouldn't see her tear up. Even if it was just coming for a cover, it still hurt.

"Leave her alone Malfoy," Harry said.

"And what are you going to do Scar head?"

"This," Ron pulled out his wand.

"Ron No." Ginny and Hermione shouted at the same time. They didn't notice that their outburst had caught the attention of the entire hall. Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore stood from their spots and headed down to the group. Ron didn't realize that his cloak was under his goblet and when he pulled away to thrown a hex, his goblet spilled all over Hermione.

"Ron," she screamed, "You idiot."

"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall asked approaching the group behind Dumbledore and Snape to her left.

Hermione looked at her head of house and Minerva saw tears in her eyes, "Miss Granger do you care to explain?" Professor Dumbledore asked. Hermione shook her head.

"You see Professors, We were eating our meal talking of quiddich and Draco came over and started taunting Hermione. Harry stood up for her and then Draco asked what they were going to do and Ron pulled out his wand, and when he went to throw a curse, his cloak knocked over his cup and it spilled all over Hermione." Ginny Explained.

"Well, Severus what do you have to say about the situation?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well Headmaster, I feel that this is an ongoing rivalry that has been in existence for the past four years, why try and stop it? The first one to throw a hex gets detention, they are adults now and it's time they take responsibility for their actions."

"I agree Headmaster; this is only going to get worse if we interfere."

"Very well, Mr. Weasley, I trust next time this occurs, you will have better control of you actions around Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes sir."

"Very well, everyone back to your meals." Dumbledore said returning to the head table.

"Miss. Granger will you come with me?" McGonagall asked, Hermione nodded and followed her out of the hall.

"Mr. Malfoy, a word please?" Snape asked and he and the fifth year prefect followed suit.

As the two women walked to Minerva's office, they boys followed in a fair distance. Everyone eventually entered the room and Minerva silenced the room. "Hermione are you alright?"

"I'm Fine professor, just a bit cold." Minerva cast a cleaning spell and they continued the conversation.

"Draco, why did you find it necessary to taunt your sister?"

"I have a cover to keep Severus, as do you."

"Yes but that doesn't mean that I am going to go out of my way to taunt her."

"Draco, he is right, you can't go out of your way, they are my friends whether you like it or not."

"Well I don't like them."

"Good because I don't like Crabbe or Goyle either."

"SO we do agree on something."

"Seems that way; did you mean what you said?"

"About what?"

"My parents, about someone possibly killing them?"

"Of course not, Father has sworn up and down that he will keep the Grangers safe at all costs." Hermione nodded.

"And what about what Mother and Father said, wishing me luck this year?"

"That much was true," he handed her an unopened letter. "It's from them."

Hermione turned to Minerva who nodded before opening it:

To our dear Hermione,

We know that what you heard was a shock and that it will take time to get a grasp on what you have just learned. However we hope that you don't hate us or shun us from your life, we want to be there for you. We also understand that with His return, your adoptive parents are now in danger. Your father has promised to keep them safe, at any cost. Please keep in touch and you and Draco try and get along as much as possible, I know you both are enemies and have been for the past four year but just don't hex him. From what he told us, you are very smart powerful and could make his head turn around.

Also keep in mind that Severus Snape can be trusted with anything you need. I am sure that you have your own confident but he is a family friend so if you need any answers that you feel you can't ask us, feel free to ask him. Have a good school year my daughter.

Much love,

Your mother, Narcissa.

Hermione felt tears fill her eyes again and she folded the letter and put it in her pocket, where she felt the other letter that she was supposed to send to her parents. "Oh no."

"What is it Hermione?"

"My letter, when Ron spilled the pumpkin juice, it washed away the ink."

"Here let's just fix it." Draco suggested

"No I will just write another one, Professor McGonagall, is it alright if I use your office between double Transfigurations today?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, now if your clock is correct, we have five minutes till class."

"Yes Miss Granger, and now I believe that it is time for me to leave." Snape left the room without another word.

"Hermione, are we ok?" Draco asked.

"Yeah, but can we keep the comments about the Grangers to a minimum. The Mud blood comments can stay; I have the power to over look those."

"Good, can I have a hug to seal the deal?"

"Sure," She walked over to him and they hugged before they took their respective seats. And they parted for their class; Professor McGonagall let down the silenced charm and let the door open for her class. Hermione knew that what had just happened would remain confidential and when that class was let out for a break, she stayed in there and wrote her first letter to her Mother.