Chapter Seven: All But Forgotten

"Adrina you must give her up, it's the only way to protect her, he will find out sooner than later no matter how good you are at occulmency. The prophecy was too public, it will only be a matter of days, maybe even hours before he comes knocking at your door," said a man.

"How could you ask this of me, to part with my daughter, my baby girl, my own child, I love her with all my heart, now I will never see her grow up, her first day at school, her first boyfriend, her first steps I will miss out on her whole life, you cannot ask me to do this, it will break my heart," said the woman.

"That is why you must do this Adrina, to protect her, she will not be safe as long as he knows of her existence, we must make her disappear. I have found the perfect muggle family who will raise her away from our world and all its troubles, she will be loved and never burdened with war," said the man.

"She will have no protection,"said Adrina.

"Fear not, I will cast protection charms upon their dwelling, which probably won't even be necessary because no one will know of her existence, not even us," said the man.

"But what if one day she will be safe and I could reclaim her as my daughter, but I will not know since my memory has been wiped," said Adrina as tears began to fall silently down her cheeks.

"It will be no simple memory charm I cast my dear, once her family tells her of her heritage and sends her to your home the charm will lift," said the man simply.

"And of my son," she asked in a shaky voice.

"Your children are only in danger because they're twins, remember after tonight your daughter will no longer exist in the wizarding world," said the man solemnly.

"If this is the only way to keep my precious babies safe, I will do what you ask, in the hope that one day I will be reunited with my daughter when the world is once again safe," said Adrina with tears still falling down her cheeks.

"Get your daughter and call your husband, we will aparate immediately," said the man as he grabbed his cloak. Adrina walked into the nursery and picked up her daughter wrapping her in a blanket before going to get her husband Carlo. Ten minutes later they found themselves in front of a beautiful but cozy home with a neat little garden. The man lead them to the door and pressed an odd button which caused bells to go off inside the house.

"Muggles are quite inventive nowadays," said Carlo.

A woman with delicate brown eyes and a mass of golden brown curls opened the door. "Mrs. Granger, we spoke earlier this week, I would like to introduce you to Adrina and Carlo Zabini," said the man.

"Good evening Adrina, Carlo, I'm Laury and my husband Peter is just inside, would you like to come in?"

"Thank you Laury," said the man. They followed her into a tastefully decorated living room and sat down on the unoccupied couch. "Peter this is Adrina and Carlo, " said Laury "Would you guys like some tea?"

"That would be very nice Laury," said the man. Peter made small talk with the guest while Laury made some tea. When they were all finally settled comfortably and sipping their tea, the man began to explain their situation. He told them about the wizarding world, with a few brief demonstrations to help them believe, the raging war and how the little girl bundled in Adrina's arms was tangled up in the whole mess. The Granger's of course adopted her without a second thought. The man then took them up to their barren nursery where he conjured up the furniture from the Zabini's nursery and added a few decorations here and there. The Grangers stood their shocked admiring his wandmanship before following him back downstairs where he cast a glamor charm on the girl so she would look just like the Grangers. The man then explained how the memory charm would work and left the Grangers with their new baby. The Zabinis left reluctantly tears freely flowing.

"Good bye Hermione," they said and then they left. The minute they walked through their door, the man cast a memory charm upon them and then one on himself. The girl Hermione was all but forgotten.

It was now the middle of October, Hagrid's pumpkins had reached record size and were just waiting to be carved. The school was starting to buzz with excitement. Teachers were decorating and casting enchantments to keep the students happy and distracted from the not so happy world outside of Hogwarts, for it was no sunshines and rainbows out their, a war was looming.

Outside many of the students were bundled up in hoodies and scarfs enjoying the last of the autumn breezes before the harsh winter. Hermione was sitting with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna by the lake enjoying the peaceful Saturday afternoon. The boys were talking about the upcoming quiditch match and the girls were talking about anything and everything while Luna tickled the Giant squid with a rather large feather. "So how's life with Malfoy?" asked Ginny.

"Ugg barely tolerable, not only is he a git, but hes a bipolar prick I swear," said Hermione.

"Maybe he's got Barble Brouts in his ears, they make people do rather odd things, they're a rather nasty pest," said Luna a dreamy voice. Ginny and Hermione giggled. Luna was always able to lighten the mood, even if she was being 100% serious.

"You know what Luna, You're right there is something seriously wrong with him," said Hermione. Luna smiled and then directed her attention back to the Giant Squid. The group continued to chatter not letting anything serious bother them.

Draco and Blaise were walking around the grounds talking about, you guessed it quiditch. When something, or rather someone caught Blaise's eye.

"Are you starring at the Weaslette?" asked a very shocked Draco

"I haven't the faintest clue what your talking about," said Blaise smoothly, glancing at her once more.

"So you don't deny it?"

"I didn't confirm it either,"

"You were, Blaise Zabini likes a Gryffindor, no less a Weasley! You traitor!"

"Oh your one to talk, you talk about Granger so much that I beginning to think you just like saying her name," said Blaise knowing he hit a nerve.

"That's preposterous, how could you even think such a thing?" said Draco looking extremely offended.

Blaise started to laugh, "You should have seen your face man,"

"I can't believe you, how did I ever become friends with you?" said Draco with a tint of annoyance in his voice. Blaise knew not to push him further at the moment. Any mention of the Head Girl usually didn't end to well. Apparently those two still weren't getting along very well. In fact it seemed if possible Draco hated Hermione more than he ever had before. Which probably made sense since they were forced to see each other more than any one in their right mind would allow, but then again Dumbledore never seemed in his right mind.

"So whens the next Hogsmeade visit again?" asked Blaise.

"Next weekend, right before Halloween, you can ask the Weaslette out, oh,won't the two of you blood traitors be cute together,"

"She has a name you know, and will you just drop it already?" said Blaise who was eager to drop the subject before someone heard.

"Oh yes your precious Ginny,"

"I said drop it Draco," said Blaise who now had a light pink tinge to his cheeks.

"And what are you going to do to stop me," Draco challenged.

"Oh I'm sure you would like to take Hermione on a date, you've gotten to the point of obsession here,"

"How dare you suggest such a thing, I am definitely not obsessed with her, and Hermione? Since when did you call her by her first name? I was right, you are a traitor! I bet you're buddying up to her so you can get closer to the Weaslette,"

"I call her by her first name since I do sit beside her in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She even talks to me and she's not that bad so I don't get why you have to constantly complain about her, it's starting to get on my nerves man. And no I do not talk to her so that I can get close to Ginny and for god sakes I'm not a traitor,"

"Fine then, I believe this discussion is over," said Draco as he began to leave.

"Someones touchy," said Blaise, "oi where are you going, come on man you can't be that mad at me,"

"I have to go see Dumbledore, Heads meeting," said Draco as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Have fun then, I know how much you enjoy Hermione's company," said Blaise as he to began to depart. If looks could kill Blaise would be dead two times over.

Hermione found herself walking beside a very agitated Draco on her way to Dumbledore's office. She caught his ice cold eyes glaring at her from time to time out of the corner of her eye, but it wasn't until it felt as though he was burning two holes in the back of her head that she turned around.

"Is it possible for you to stop glaring at me for more than two seconds?" asked Hermione obviously annoyed.

"I will glare at whoever I want whenever I want Granger,"

"Well sorry to storm on your parade, but I really don't appreciate the glaring especially when Ive done nothing to deserve it,"

"Done nothing to deserve it you frickin existed Granger,"

"Oh so original, came up with that all by yourself Ferret?"

"Cause Ferret screams originality," But their argument had ended for they had reached the stone gargoyles that guarded Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Mars Bars," said Hermione.

"What?"

"It's a kind of muggle candy," said Hermione as the Gargoyles jumped aside revealing the winding staircase.

"You would know wouldn't you mudblood," said Draco as he instantly felt a sharp pain of guilt. What the bloody hell is wrong with me, and since when is it not okay to call her a mudblood? he thought to himself, as he followed Hermione up the stairs. Before either of them could knock, Dumbledore bellowed "enter". The two heads entered without a word to one another, sitting as far away from one another as possible.

"Good afternoon,"

"Good afternoon Professor," they said in unison.

"I trust you are enjoying this fine Saturday," said Dumbledore giving them a smile, "Now the two of you haven't been getting along as well as I had hoped, but you have done an exceptional job with your heads duties. I have asked you to come here today because I would like to discuss your newest responsibility, planning a winter ball. I know we have not had one for some time but I believe it is just what the school needs to keep the morale high. I leave all the details and planning to you, I hope you enjoy. Any questions?"

Draco and Hermione were inwardly groaning, this meant they had to spend even more time with each other, yet they shook their heads and waited to be dismissed.

Hermione joined Ron, Harry and Ginny at the Gryffindor table for dinner. "Hey Mione, how was the meeting?" asked Ginny.

"It was alright, I guess. We have to plan a winter ball though, Arrrg he just makes me want to scream! And now I have to spend even more time with the bloody ferret," said Hermione with her voice steadily growing louder. She was about to continue but was interrupted by Ginny, "Come on lets take a walk." The girls grabbed some chicken wings, bid the boys goodbye and headed for the doors. Once they were outside Ginny simply said, "continue," and Hermione just exploded. She ranted about Draco for nearly half an hour, all of which Ginny listened to carefully. When Hermione had finished she was red faced and out of breath, but she listened to all the helpful advice Ginny could muster.

"Thanks Gin,"

"No problem, what are best friends for?"

Blaise however was being less sympathetic with Draco, in fact he had begun to ignore him, finding his half eaten steak way more interesting. "Are you even listening man?" Draco asked annoyed. "Nope, haven't been for the last ten minutes...seriously man give it a rest,"

"Give it a rest? Did you hear what I had to say I have to plan a bloody ball with her, and shes impossible!" said Draco exasperated.

"Why don't you just call another truce, I really think you guys can get along you just choose not too,"

A blonde female and a brunette male were sitting at a desk talking casually pausing every once in awhile to let someone check their makeup or hair. "Five minutes till were live folks," came a voice from the speakers. Chaos broke loose as everyone rushed around trying to make the set look perfect. " Five, four, three," said a woman standing beside the camera she then continued to mouth the rest of the numbers.

"Welcome to the four o clock news, I'm Cathy Banks, and this striking young man beside me is Timothy Low. I am afraid that we must start on a grim note, we have just received news of a very horrific attack not two hours ago on a local dentistry office." said Cathy.

"Yes, it's very terrible indeed Cathy. Planet Dental was attacked by two unknown civilians leaving three dead, four injured and one in a coma," said Peter.

"We have just been informed that the two men have in fact been identified and taken into custody. A Mr. Jones and Mr. Lockenstyne," said Cathy as the program was interrupted to show the men's faces. "The man in the coma happens to be the owner and head dentist of planet dental, whether he is going to make a recovery is yet to be determined,"

"And now onto..."

The Heads dorm was ringing with laughter, a rather unusual sound to be heard. Hermione and Ginny were playing a very exciting game of exploding snap in the common room. "Hey Gin, wanna sleepover tonight?"

"Of course why wouldn't I want to stay in my best friends amazing dorm even if she has to share it with the one of the hottest pricks in the school," said Ginny playfully.

"So who would be the hottest then miss Ginny,"

"Not telling," said Ginny as she stuck her tongue out at Hermione.

"I bet it's Harry you still like him don't you,"

"Ive moved on Hermione, this guy trumps Harry in the looks department, but the being a good guy not so much,"said Ginny slyly.

"You like a Slytherin don't you,"

"I never said anything about him being a Slytherin, now did I? I just can't help but like the bad boys, especially after liking Mr. goody two shoes for how long?" They continued their game for another half an hour, as Hermione tried to guess who Ginny's mystery guy was. "Well I better go get my stuff, I'll be back in about a half an hour or so," said Ginny as she got up to leave.

"Sure, sure" said Hermione as Ginny stepped out of the portrait. Hermione wondered if she should tell Ginny about the secret passage way, but her thoughts were interrupted by the family owl Zaila tapping frantically on the window as it battled to stay up in the heavy rain. She quickly got up and let the owl in then fetched an owl treat from the kitchen. Zaila took the treat exhaustively from her hand, gave her an affectionate nip and then braved the storm once more as she flew to the owlery.

Dear Hermione, It read in her mothers writing, but the ink was slightly smudged as though water had been spilled on it.

There is no easy way to tell you this, but your fathers been attacked and is now in a coma, and well things aren't looking good at all, they've already talked to me about taking him off life support in a week if things don't get better. Oh sweetie I don't know what to do, and I hate to burden you soo much in your last year. But I feel so lost!

Love Mom

Hermione stared at the letter in shock, silent tears running down her face as her world seemed to come crashing down around her. She began to run, she needed to get away, she didn't care where she went, she just wanted to be alone. Her path was clear as it was almost curfew, only a few straggling third years saw her, but didn't really care. Hermione found herself outside, the rain offering a smidgen of comfort. She leaned against the tree by the lake, slowly sliding into a sitting position and began to cry again. Lightning illuminated her face every so often shaking the ground with a thunderous boom. "What the hell are you doing outside in this storm? Are you bloody insane?" a voice called out interrupting her thoughts. She looked up just in time for the lightening to illuminate a pale blonde figure walking towards her. He is the last fucking person I want to see right now. Could this day possibly get any worse? If it were possible for you to read my thoughts right now Malfoy you would leave me the hell alone. "What do you want Malfoy," Hermione tried to ask icily but lacked the strength and actually sounded rather miserable, Draco noticed this but quickly put it far from his mind.

"Well I wanted to catch a student out of bed but instead I found you...What the hell are you doing out here anyways?"

"I happen to enjoy storms," said Hermione, which wasn't a lie. However another flash of lightening revealed her red and puffy eyes. Draco knew for sure now that something was wrong and had an odd urge to comfort her. The urge alone made him want to turn on his heel and leave, but he couldn't leave her their looking so miserable and depressed.

"Come on Granger no one in their right minds would be out in this storm, it's bloody freezing,"

"Would you just leave me alone, I'll be bloody miserable where ever I want," Hermione accidentally let slip. Draco then sat down beside her and very uncharacteristically put his arm around her.

"You don't have to be miserable," said Draco. Oh come on man that was lame. Its frickin hard to be nice to her at least I'm trying...It was still lame. I know. Thought Draco as he had an internal argument with himself.

"Get your bloody arm off of me, I have a bloody good reason to be miserable and I suggest you leave me alone," said Hermione as tears once again began poring down her face. Draco then did the unthinkable and hugged her to his chest, stroking her back. It was odd how perfectly she fit. Oooh your enjoying this man. I'm enjoying her misery you stupid voice...where did you come from anyways? But Draco's internal argument came to an end as he felt her stop shaking, and her crying begin to ease. He got up offering her a hand, which she hesitantly took and began leading her back to their dorm. "Malfoy,"

"Yah,"

"I don't know what caused you to suddenly change, nor do I need to, but thanks," Hermione chocked out.

"Your welcome, everybody needs a shoulder to cry on,"

"But seriously who are you and what have you done to Draco Malfoy?"

"I'll probably be back to normal by tomorrow,"

"Did we just have a civilized conversation?" said Hermione almost cracking a smile.

"I think we did," said Draco letting out a chuckle.

"Hell must of frozen over then,"

"Truce,"

"What?" Hermione asked unsure if she heard him right.

"Truce, from now on we have to be civilized with one another or at least in private...I don't know about you but I have a reputation to keep,"

"Truce,"

Ginny was anxiously pacing the heads common room, she'd seen the letter from Hermione's mom, and was worried about Hermione. Where has that girl gone..I hope she's okay, Ginny thought. She sighed with relief when she saw Hermione and Draco enter. She then looked curiously at the pair but decided to ask questions later. Hermione had begun to cry softly again. "Mione, I'm gonna sleep in my dorm tonight..give you some space, don't hesitate to knock at any hour, unless you want me to sleep with you."

"I think I'll sleep alone tonight, thanks Gin," said Hermione shakily.

"Oh and Malfoy if you do anything to hurt her anymore than she already is, there will be hell to pay,"

"I don't doubt it," said Draco

So did you like it? I know I need to work on descriptions and all but did you like going away from the main story a bit? Like always reviews are much appreciated :D