Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. They are greatly appreciated! Special thanks to my beta, Modges!

The first word out of Hermione's mouth once the shock wore off was, "Fuck."

Harry looked at her in surprise at her uncharacteristic swearing. He couldn't blame her though. He had muttered the same word upon reading the aforementioned article.

Hermione picked the paper up from the table, unsure if she actually wanted to read the whole article. Deciding that the phrase 'forewarned is forearmed' would apply here, she started reading.

SECRET IDENTITY REVEALED! DRACO MALFOY'S LONG-LOST TWIN SISTER IS NONE OTHER THAN HERMIONE GRANGER!

This reporter has some shocking news for all you readers. It has been revealed from a trustworthy source that the mysterious long-lost twin sister of Draco Malfoy is Hermione Granger! There has been much speculation about where Ms. Granger has been keeping herself since the end of the war and this just might clear it up. One might wonder why it's taken so long for Ms. Granger to appear as Ms. Malfoy. Is she masquerading as the Malfoy's lost daughter as some form of revenge? This reporter would not be surprised. Ms. Granger is well known for her vindictive side.

When asked for his thoughts on the revelation, Ron Weasley's reply was "I'm not surprised. Hermione always walked around like she was better than everyone else. She always liked to keep her nose in air and look down at everyone. Exactly like a Malfoy. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew the whole time and was spying on us."

Harsh words from someone who was close to Ms. Granger all through her schooling. Many of Ms. Granger's former schoolmates were asked their opinion, but most refused comment. Perhaps they were scared of possible retaliation?

At the time of publication, there has been no comment from either the Malfoy family or Harry Potter. This reporter is greatly interested in what Mr. Potter has to say about all this, considering he has been seen out with Ms. Malfoy while supposedly dating Ms. Granger. Has he known the whole time as well? Why has Ms. Granger been seen out with Mr. Zabini and Mr. Nott, two of the most eligible bachelors in wizarding Britain? Knowing Ms. Granger as I do, I can only suspect she has lured them into her web of deception.

So many questions, readers, and I want answers! Until next time.

Rita Skeeter

Hermione gingerly placed the paper back down on the table. Ron's cruel words made her want to cry, but she was done wasting her tears on him. She accepted his feelings towards her a long time ago. She glanced at Harry to find him watching her nervously.

"I am not going to get upset over this, Harry."

He looked at her suspiciously, obviously wary of her calmness.

"You aren't?"

"No. I knew it was going to come out eventually, although I wasn't expecting it so soon. Besides, there are other way of dealing with this besides getting upset. It seems as if someone is in need of a little reminder. Tell me, do we have any spare jars laying around?"

The wizarding world would be talking about Rita Skeeter's bizarre behavior for years. For a reporter who so obviously reveled in her profession, it was decidedly odd for her to suddenly announce her choice to leave in order to pursue other interests. The only notice that she gave was a brief article in the Daily Prophet. The next day she was gone, having left for parts unknown and never to be heard from again. None of the world's wizarding newspapers could find a trace of her and speculation ran rampant concerning what might have happened to her. Many people were convinced that Lucius Malfoy had her killed for slighting his newfound daughter. In fact, there are only three people who knew the truth of what happened.

And none of them would ever tell.

Years later, Lucius Malfoy came right out and asked his daughter if she had anything to do with Rita's disappearance. Instead of answering, she just smirked at him and went about her business. It was hard for him to resist laughing as her expression was answer enough. He was quite proud.

After her search for empty jars, Hermione went back into the kitchen to talk further with Harry.

"Have you heard from Kingsley? I want to know how this got out?"

"Actually, an owl just came with a letter from him. I was just about to come find you. It's addressed to you."

Hermione took the letter from Harry's outstretched hand. She quickly opened it, anxious to find out who leaked her secret.

Hermione,

I can't apologize enough for allowing the press to get their hands on your story. There was a breach of Ministry protocol that is currently under investigation. I had to explain to my Head Auror why the charges against you were to be dropped. He was most unhappy about that and demanded an explanation for my decision. I required him to take a Wizard's Oath not to disclose the content of our discussion. Our conversation was to take place under a silencing charm but someone chose to remove it. Because of this, someone overheard us and discovered your true identity. Hermione, that person was Ronald Weasley. There is currently an investigation to find out exactly who took down the silencing charm. I have my suspicions, but no proof as of yet. Please accept my deepest apologies and know that I will personally be handling this damnable situation.

Yours,

Kingsley

Letting out a sigh, she handed the letter to Harry. Watching him read it, she could tell exactly when he reached the part about Ron as his face turned bright red in anger. He balled up the paper and threw it across the room.

"What do you want to do?"

"About Ron? I don't even know anymore, Harry. I want to say this surprises me, but it doesn't. I'm not sure he could do anything that would surprise me anymore. Honestly, it just makes me sad. Draco, Blaise, and Theo are going to want to kill him though. Actually, I'm quite astonished that Draco hasn't shown up, ranting and raving yet."

No sooner had those words left her mouth than the sound of the Floo flaring was heard. They heard the sound of a crash, followed by a few curse words, then Draco entered the kitchen.

"Trouble with the Floo, Draco?"

He shot her a look letting her know that he did not find her cheekiness funny. He said nothing, pulling up a seat at the table. The trio sat in silence before Draco finally broke it.

"I'm going to kill him."

Hermione and Harry shot each other amused glances and broke out in laughter.

"I told you, Harry. And you, Draco, will do no such thing. Ron Weasley is certainly not worth a trip to Azkaban. He just wants attention. This will die down, because regardless of what Skeeter has to say, the general public does like me. And when it does, Ron will be right back where he was before, not getting any of the recognition he believes he deserves. He hates being ignored more than anything. So, that is what we will do, take no notice of him. He'll be expecting some sort of retribution, constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for it. He'll never know if, or when, it will come."

Draco looked thoughtful for a minute before a smirk worthy of Salazar Slytherin himself crept onto his face.

"I like it. When did you get so devious?"

"You must be rubbing off on me, dear brother."

Harry snorted, "Yeah right, you've always been this way."

Schooling her face into her most innocent look, she replied, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Both Harry and Draco responded to that statement by bursting out into raucous laughter. She retaliated by punching them both in the arm, resulting in overly-dramatic cries of 'Ouch!' from them both.

"By the way, Hermione, Mother said to expect her arrival at the previously agreed upon time."

"Oh no! I have to get ready! I completely forgot about tea!"

Everything else forgotten for now, she jumped up from the table and ran out of the room. In her haste, she didn't think about the fact that she just left Harry and Draco alone.

Back in the kitchen, the two men eyed each other warily. Unsure of what to say and feeling very uncomfortable, Draco stood up in order to head back to the Manor to speak with his father. Before leaving though, he had something he needed to say to Harry.

"So...you and Parkinson then?"

Harry looked up, surprised that Draco was bringing this up to him.

"Yes. Me and Parkinson."

"Pansy is a good person. While I can't understand what she sees in a messy-headed, scar-faced, dunderhead such as yourself, all that matters to me is whether or not she is happy. So keep her happy, Potter, or you'll be dealing with me."

"Understood."

With a nod in Harry's direction, Draco left, leaving Harry alone.

'Merlin!' Hermione mumbled under her breath as she stumbled trying to make herself presentable. She was in a rush as her mother and Pansy were going to be arriving any minute. Quickly going through her closet, she decided on a simple, casual dress in a deep royal blue. She discovered this color looked lovely on her with her new coloring. Throwing on a pair of matching flats, she headed downstairs. As she grew closer, she was able to voices and laughter. Walking into the sitting room, she saw that Narcissa and Pansy had both already arrived and were being entertained by Harry. She paused for a moment before going in, looking closely at Harry and Pansy. The couple was seated across from Narcissa and sitting quite close to each other. Harry had his arm slung around Pansy's shoulder. Hermione wasn't sure she had ever seen Harry so happy. Maybe back when Sirius was alive, but it had certainly been a while. Clearing her throat softly, she walked into the room.

"My apologizes for running late. I've had a bit of an interesting morning."

Narcissa stood up to gather her daughter into her arms.

"I was terribly distressed to read that awful article this morning. I believe Draco would have run off and hurt Mr. Weasley if your father hadn't been there to stop him. How are you doing, dear?"

"I'm fine, it's fine. Ron Weasley has no hold over me and I won't allow him to upset me anymore."

Pulling back from her mother, Hermione turned to face Pansy.

"Hello, Pansy. How are you?"

"Quite well. Thank you for extending an invitation for tea. I would like to get to know you better."

"As would I. Harry? Get out."

Harry chuckled at her abruptness. Giving Pansy a quick kiss, he stood.

"I know when I'm not wanted, girl talk, yeah? I'll see you later, Pansy. Narcissa, it was a pleasure, as always."

Taking Narcissa's hand in his, he lifted it to his lips for a brief kiss. Winking at the women, he strode out of the room.

"My goodness, that young man is certainly a charmer, isn't he?"

Hermione couldn't help but giggle at that.

"Maybe now, but he used to be downright awful when it came to the opposite sex."

After Harry left, the three settled in for what Harry called 'girl talk'. They kept it light at first, with Narcissa and Pansy mostly engaging in gossip. Narcissa brought up the party that Draco had mentioned to her the other day. This brought about a groan from Hermione. The last thing she wanted was to attend another party. She only relented after her mother assured her it would be much smaller than the previous one.

"Besides, darling, I have a surprise for you so you just must attend."

"Surprise? What is it?"

"Now if I told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"

"Fine. I'll be there. I assume you'll be dragging Harry along, Pansy?"

"I am. I can't tell which of you dislikes these things more, you or Harry. You're going to have to get used to it eventually, though. You are a Malfoy, after all. Not only that, but you will also be marrying a Nott and a Zabini. These tedious little social engagements are par for the course for our lot. Speaking of your men, how are all of you getting on? Every time I ask Harry, he just turns red and starts stammering. It's cute but terribly inconvenient at times."

"So far, things are going really well. I'm a bit surprised by how well, actually. I didn't expect it to go so smoothly, especially considering there's three of us, but we seem to be managing it. I'm fairly certain this courtship period is going to end in marriage, but it's early days yet."

"Good. Blaise and Theo are good friends of mine and I'm happy for them. And you, of course."

"Thanks, Pansy. I don't have to ask you how things are going with Harry. I saw you two before I came in. I've rarely seen him so happy. He really deserves it so just keep it up."

"Oh, I keep it up all right. In fact, he really likes this thing I do with my tongue-"

"Pansy! Harry is like my brother! I don't want to hear that!"

Hermione was bright red as both Pansy and Narcissa found amusement in her exclamation.

"No sex talk then? You are no fun. Too bad, I was hoping to get the dish on Blaise and Theo. They are both so sexy. I think all the Slytherin girls had crushes on them, and Draco, of course."

"Even if I wanted to, which I don't, especially with my mother sitting right here, there isn't anything to really tell."

Pansy seemed astonished at Hermione's statement.

"Nothing? Nothing at all?"

"We've snogged a few times, but that's really it. I told them I wanted to take it slow and that I wanted to wait until we got married for sex."

"It's killing you, isn't it?"

"Oh my Merlin, yes! Is it that obvious? I told them they could loosen the reins, so to speak, but they are treading carefully. Which, on one hand, I love them for not pushing me, but on the other, I'm dying."

"You're going to have to make the first move if you want to go farther. They won't, out of fear they will push your boundaries."

"I figured as much. I just don't really know what to do."

Narcissa looked interested in Hermione's statement and looked as if she was going to press for more information.

"What do you want to know, darling? I'm sure we can help you out. In fact, there's this one thing that is guaranteed to work, your father loves-"

"NO!" Hermione and Pansy yelled, simultaneously.

"I didn't mean to yell, Mother, but the last thing I need is to be picturing what Lucius likes in the bedroom."

The mere thought made her shudder and Pansy would nodding her head vigorously in fervent agreement.

"When are you seeing them again?"

"Tonight, I'm going over to their flat for dinner."

"Just do whatever feels right to you. I had a similar problem with Harry, until I took control and showed him what I wanted."

Desperate to get the conversation off the sex lives of her father and her might-as-well-be-her-brother, Hermione changed the subject. Luckily, both witches could tell Hermione was getting uncomfortable and went along with it. By the time they both left, Hermione realized that she really enjoyed Pansy's company and she was happy she invited her over. She was optimistic that they would become good friends. For now though, she had a date to get ready for.

AN2: Thanks for reading! Next chapter, we'll see some more of Blaise and Theo. Also, I entered The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition! This means you'll see more stories from me (mostly one-shots). It should be lots of fun!