What if Harry Potter found out about his heritage from Sirius Black after his Third Year and didn't share everything with Hermione? Warning - Hermione devotees may want to skip this story.

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Harry Potter slipped away from the Dursley house and headed to the park several blocks away. He looked around expectantly, and smiled when he saw a large black dog bound out from the bushes, and then head back into them and the small corpse of trees behind them. He quickly followed.

As he entered the tiny clearing, the dog morphed into a thin man with dark hair and a dark goatee. "Sirius!" Harry exclaimed and walked into the open arms the man held out to him. They held a tight embrace for several seconds, and released before either of them felt uncomfortable.

"Merlin, it's good to see you, Pup," said his godfather. "How are the Muggles treating you?"

"It's good to see you too, Sirius," smiled Harry. "And the Dursleys are the same as always. A lot of chores, but they're ignoring me more than yelling at me, so it's all good." He scrutinized the older man. While still thin, he wasn't as emaciated as he had been two months earlier. His clothes appeared well made, but hung slightly on his frame. His hair was cut and styled nicely, though. All in all, he looked much better than the last time the teen had seen the escaped prisoner.

"Freedom has done wonders for you, Padfoot," he added, using his godfather's nickname. "You're looking much better. But should you be here? I thought you were recuperating out of Britain."

His godfather frowned slightly. "I'm the one that should be worrying about you, Pup." The teen opened his mouth to deny the need, but quieted as the older man held up his hand. "I need to talk to you, Harry, and I was worried that letters would take too long. I promise I'll hightail it out of here again as soon as we're done."

The two sat down, further hiding themselves in the small glade, which was surrounded by thick bushes. It was a good place to meet, close to the playground, but tucked out of sight. Sirius took out a wand and cast a "Homenum Revelio" spell, to ensure there were no hidden wizards or witches nearby. He then cast a proximity alert before putting his wand away.

"Harry, there are things that I would have taught you growing up, if I hadn't been imprisoned, things every pureblood or half-blood witch or wizard should know. For example, although my name is Sirius Black, you may not know that I am the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. An Ancient House is one that has existed for more than 30 generations. A Noble House is one that has a title attached. Even though my dear old mother tried to disinherit me, only the Head of the House can disinherit a House member, and my father never did that. With his death, I became the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. I am The Black of Black and have the title of Lord Black."

"Wow, Sirius, I didn't know you were noble," exclaimed Harry. "That's impressive! I've never heard anyone referred to as 'The' and a surname before. Is there anything like that for the Potters?"

"The Head of a House is referred to as 'The' surname, as you called it", his godfather replied. "It means that person is the embodiment of the House, the highest authority. And yes, the Potters are a House." At his godson's inquiring look, the older man suppressed another urge to swear. "There are Families and then there are Houses. A House has to have existed more than fifteen generations. The Potters have existed for twenty generations and are nearly at Ancient status. In pureblood circles, you would be known as Heir Potter." He held up a hand that bore a heavy gold signet ring with a blood red ruby. "This is my Head of House ring. No one but the Head of House could wear it. Anyone attempting it would be severely injured if they to wear it without being next in line to inherit. You should be wearing an Heir's ring yourself. However, for whatever reason, Albus Dumbledore hasn't made your heritage and inheritance available to you. Maybe he thought the Muggles wouldn't approve. Maybe he never thought about it. The Dumbledores don't have House status, so perhaps it never even occurred to him."

"But what does it mean," asked Harry, frowning slightly in puzzlement.

"You are the Heir of the House of Potter. You will become the Head of House upon your majority, or The Potter of Potter. You will have a seat in the Wizengamot, the governing body. The Potters were part of the Wizard's Council before the Wizengamot was formed, so it is a well-known House with a rich heritage. We should have had years to explore your birthright as you grew up, but we need to work with what we have."

He reached out and took his godson's hand. "Harry, this is important. You need to go to Gringotts unseen. You need to get to the Potter Family vault, and get your Heir's ring. It's not just a ring; it has protections on it that will help you. James told me that all Potter rings have a charm to counteract any type of mind magic. That means, it will keep your thoughts private and prevent any mind control spells, like a compulsion charm."

The teen's face scrunched up in disgust. "Keep my thoughts private? Are you telling me that people can read or hear my thoughts?"

Sirius twisted his lips in a grimace. "Yes, there is a branch of magic that deals exclusively with mind magic. Occlumency helps guard and organize your mind. Legilmency is the opposite. It can give the caster the ability to stroll through the layers of the mind and interpret feelings. Wearing your Heir's ring will keep anyone from using Legilmency successfully against you. I know that Albus Dumbledore is a master Occlumens and Moony thinks Snape might be as well." His voice twisted with disgust at Snape's name.

Harry felt physical ill. He hated the very idea that someone could read his thoughts, much less his hated Potions professor. He would find a way to get to the goblin bank!

"But that's not all you need at Gringott's, Pup. Every Head of House keeps a journal. It will detail the House's interaction with other Houses, any contracts or alliances, loans made or debts incurred, what's happening in the Wizengamot and the Houses' votes, and general details about family life. You should have twenty generations of journals that will teach you everything you need to know about the Potter history."

Harry's eyes widened as Sirius explained about the journals. He could learn about his family! He felt a physical ache in his chest at the sudden burning desire to get his hands on those journals. "Did my father keep a journal," he asked hesitantly.

"Yes," smiled Sirius tenderly in remembrance. "He was raised quite traditionally." The man's smile faded slightly. "I don't know if his journal was recovered from the house…after. But if it was, it will be in the Family vault."

"Sirius," Harry said doubtfully and somewhat sadly, "I've seen my vault. And while there's a lot of coins in it, I don't remember seeing any journals."

Sirius barked out a laugh. "That's your Trust vault, Pup. Every child is given a Trust vault at birth in the old Families and Houses. There should be enough to pay for your education and entertainment. Beyond that, there is a Potter Family vault. That's where the Heir ring and Head of House ring will be, as well as the journals. Oh! And the Family Grimoire, of course."

"What's a 'grimoire'," asked Harry, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar word.

"What's a grimoire? What are they teaching you at Hogwarts?" The older man growled a few cuss words, causing Harry's eyes to widen. After a few seconds, he calmed down and looked embarrassed at Harry's surprised, but amused expression. He took a deep breath and blew it out. "Sorry about that. This is what you should have been raised with." He shook his head in regret. "OK, you have text books for each class at Hogwarts, right?" At Harry's nod, he continued. "A grimoire is a book of spells and instructions on how to cast and use those spells. A Family Grimoire are spells that are unique and private to the Family. So the Black or Potter Family Grimoires would contain spells known only to the Family. They are likely spells developed by Family members and kept within the Family. The Grimoire can only be read by a member of the Family, and sometimes, even then the Head of House has to give permission for them to access it. Each Grimoire is warded to only allow a Family member access and will harm someone who tries to steal it or access it without permission. The Black Grimoire requires a drop of blood onto the lock with the first use. I don't know whether the Potter Grimoire has that or not. As close as James and I were, I never saw the Potter Family Grimoire. They are very private. In fact, it's actually illegal to try to access a Family Grimoire without explicit permission, not that thieves won't try. Proprietary spells can be quite valuable."

"What kind of spells would be in the Potter Grimoire," asked Harry.

Sirius chuckled. "If you can think of it, it's probably in there, considering how old the House of Potter is. Since the Potters began as pottery makers hundreds of years ago, the oldest spells are probably geared towards the creation of earthenware or maybe porcelain crockery. But for last several generations, the Potters were known for their wards, so you might have quite a few exclusive spells focused on protections and barriers." He thought for a moment and then added, "I wouldn't be surprised if Lily had started a Grimoire of her own. She created her own Charms and was planning a Mastery in it. If she had, that would be in the Family vault as well, although James might have had her add her spells to the Potter Grimoire."

"I'm not sure how I can get to Gringotts, Sirius. Even getting away to this park was hard. All the way to London and back will take all day, and Aunt Petunia wouldn't allow it," the teen said dejectedly.

"Pup! You wound me," Sirius said with a grin. "Do you think I would tempt you with this if I didn't come up with a way to get you there?" He reached into his pocket and drew out a fifty pence coin which he handed to his godson. "Moony is better with portkeys than I am, so he enchanted this. Hold it and say 'Diagon Alley' and it will take you to the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron. Tap the bricks three up and two across. Go to Gringotts and let a teller know that you need to visit the Potter Family vault, but was never given the key. They'll make you prick your finger to get blood confirmation that you are allowed access and should make a new key for you, at a charge of course. Probably charge you for the authentication and the key; they're greedy buggers. Once you have the key, it's a ride down to the Vault and then you can get your ring, journals and Grimoire. I expect there are probably mokeskin bags in the Vault, but just in case," he rummaged through his pockets until he drew out a small bag, "take this one."

Harry looked at the small bag. It didn't look like it would hold much. He looked up at Sirius questioningly.

"Enchanted, Harry," the older man said with a chuckle. "It's bigger on the inside. What's nice about a mokeskin bag is that only the owner can get access it, as long as the items are fully enclosed." He withdrew his wand and cast "De translatione dominii Harry Potter" and nodded. "There, now you own it. It should hold all of the journals and the Grimoire."

Harry took the bag and surprised them both by hugging the man. "Thank you, Sirius," he whispered. "No one has ever told me as much or helped me as much as you have."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you growing up, Pup," he whispered back. "You should have grown up with this."

"It's OK," Harry said leaning back. "I'm just glad I have it and you now."

Several hours later, the two left the park. Sirius used a separate port key to return to his sanctuary, where Remus was helping him recover physically and mentally from his imprisonment. "It was a worthwhile visit, Moony," he said with a smile. "We talked a lot. There's so much he didn't know. No one talks to him about James or Lily. He had no idea about Houses or the Potter Family, but he's going to be OK. He's really excited about getting his hands on the Potter journals. He's going to go to Gringotts tomorrow and said 'thank you' for the portkey."

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Harry returned from Gringotts wearing two rings and with the mokeskin bag filled with journals as well as a large Potter Family Grimoire. In his next letter to his godfather, he wrote about the visit.

You can imagine my surprise when Griphook offered me another Heir ring to the Ancient and Noble House of Black. When were you going to tell me that you made me your heir, you git? I mean, I'm honored, but you should marry and have puppies of your own!

I currently have the Black ring on my left hand ring finger and the Potter ring on my right hand. Let me know if they should be worn differently.

The oldest of the family journals are a bit difficult to read, as they're in Middle English and are hard to follow. I may need to use a translation spell once I'm back at Hogwarts to be able to understand them. I didn't find my father's journal, which was disappointing, but I did find one by Charlus Potter, who talks about his son James, so I think it's my grandfather. Was that his name?

Besides reading the newer journals, I've been having fun reading through the Family Grimoire. It's divided into beginner, intermediate, apprentice and master spell sections. Under each section, the information is further divided into Personal, Household or Family spells. Plus there are sections for Rites and Rituals! Reading through those, I was fascinated by a seasonal ritual that the Head of House performed that involved gifts and an oath to the faeries on Potter property in order to receive their blessings. Do you know if there is any Potter property left?

There is so much information in the Grimoire, I'm guessing it will take me all the way through my Seventh Year at Hogwarts to finish it. I can't thank you enough for telling me about the journals and Grimoire!

I also found that I've been feeling better since wearing the rings. I've had headaches as long as I can remember, but they've almost totally disappeared since wearing the rings. Odd, isn't it, but I'm not complaining.

Over the summer, between letters from Sirius and access to the Potter journals, Harry learned a great deal about his place in wizarding society.

Dear Harry,

It's really no surprise that you're my heir. Not only are you my godson, but your grandmother was Dorea Black who married your grandfather, Charlus Potter. So you are the grandson and godson of a Black. The next closest Heir would be Draco Malfoy. His mother was a Black and my cousin, but I prefer we avoid making a Malfoy the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. So until I find a lovely lady upon whom I'm willing to grace my gorgeous self, you'll have to suck it up, Pup!

The fact that wearing your Heir rings makes you feel better is something we'll want to investigate further, but that can wait until I'm back in the country. We should have an independent Healer check you out to make sure you don't have any lingering effects from the Killing Curse all those years ago. While I love Poppy Pomfrey, she's not a Healer, she's a mediwitch. She's fully qualified for things that could go wrong in school, but we'll want a specialist for anything more complicated, like a dark curse. However, the fact that you're feeling better tells me that getting your Heir ring was a good thing!

I don't know about the Potter ring, but if you want to hide the Black ring, just tap it with your wand and say "Celaverimus". That will active a concealment rune on the ring, but as you aren't actually casting a spell, it won't register as underage magic. "Revelabit" will reveal it again.

I don't know if you're aware of it, but you can order books from Flourish and Blott's by owl. Moony recommends "British Politics" by Iohannes Trayle. He says it gives a good introduction to the Ministry and the Wizengamot as it transitioned from the original Wizard's Council.

Harry followed the advice and ordered the book using Hedwig. He was delighted to receive not only the book, but a catalog of everything he could order. Again following his godfather's advice, he bought a book on customs and traditions, plus he used Hedwig to order meals from Tom at the Leaky Cauldron. He was surprised to learn that the pub owner could charm a basket to stay fresh and pack it with seven days' worth of food. When Hedwig returned the empty basket, Tom would refill it. That way, Harry was sure to have one good and filling meal every day. Between the chores the Dursleys gave him, all the studying he was doing and the letters from Sirius, the summer passed very quickly and he was soon on his way back to Hogwarts.

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Harry finished the remainder of his Charms homework and put it away in his book bag. He noticed that Ron and Hermione were still writing. Knowing Hermione, she was probably writing a foot more than Flitwick had requested and Ron was probably trying to write extra-large just to make the minimum length. He hid a grin from his friends and decided that while they finished their homework, he would see if there were comparable charms identified in his Family Grimoire. He removed the mokeskin bag he wore around his neck, opened it and removed the Grimoire. He always chuckled as his hand disappeared inside the small bag, and a huge book was withdrawn.

The sound drew Hermione's attention. "Harry, what are those," asked the brown-haired girl, eying the bag and Grimoire. "I've never seen either of those before."

"This is a mokeskin bag," he began, but was interrupted by Ron.

"Oh, I've heard of those before. I think Bill has one to carry some of his curse-breaking tools. Larger on the inside, right? Those are brilliant! Where did you get it?"

Harry nodded at his red-headed friend and said, "Padfoot gave it to me this summer. It gives me a place to hold the Potter Grimoire and journals."

Ron looked impressed. "You have the original Potter Grimoire? Dad has a copy of the Weasley Grimoire, but the original is with our Uncle William. Dad was a younger son, so only has a copy. I've only seen the most basic spells so far."

Hermione looked fascinated with the large handwritten book. "What's in your Grimoire, Harry?" When both boys looked at her with uneasiness, she added, "What's the matter? Here, let me see." She held her hand out for the large book.

"Um, Hermione, you…you don't ask to see a Family Grimoire," said Ron with a mixture of embarrassment and shock.

"Why not? It's just a book of spells, isn't it?" She continued to hold her hand out towards Harry.

"Actually, Hermione, a Family Grimoire is exactly that," replied Harry. "It's specific to the Family. It's not to be shared or revealed to anyone outside of the Family. Since you didn't know, I don't take offense, but it's actually considered rude to ask to see someone's Family Grimoire."

"Why would spells be considered exclusive," asked their friend with a frown. "Knowledge is meant to be shared!"

"Because many of the spells were developed by Family members for use exclusively by the Family. It's the same as anything that's patented in the Muggle world." At the girl's persistent frown, Harry continued, "For example, generations ago, my Family were actually potters, making ceramic and porcelain dishes. If they devised a spell to make their wares a certain color, that would remain a Family secret because it made their pottery unique. See?"

"Well, yes, I can understand that," their friend admitted. "But surely there are some unrestricted spells that you can share with me?"

Harry tried not to sigh. He should have known their friend's thirst for knowledge would perceive a confidential book as holding secrets to be exposed. He decided to remove the temptation and slid the book back into the bag as he said, "I'm sorry, but the entire Grimoire is limited to members of the Potter Family, Hermione. Like most Grimoires, it's protected to keep non-family members from using it."

Neither Harry nor Ron could miss the way her brown eyes followed the book as it disappeared into the mokeskin bag or the way she frowned.

Two days later, Neville Longbottom stopped Harry in the dorm room before the teen got into bed. "Harry," he said hesitantly.

"Yeah, Neviille?"

"Um, I wanted…err…thought you should know," the boy stuttered and shifted uncomfortably.

"What's up?" He gave the other teen an encouraging nod.

"Well, it's just…it's Hermione. She was asking me about Grimoires and whether they're really confidential…" He trailed off as the other boys in the room became interested in the conversation.

Harry sighed in exasperation, but Ron's quick temper ignited. "She didn't believe us? We told her they were restricted to the Family!"

"I tried to explain," the shy teen responded quickly. "I told her that I still don't have full access to the Longbottom Grimoire and I'm the next Head of House. She seemed a bit offended that 'purebloods were hoarding knowledge'."

"Well that's just silly," said Seamus from the other side of the room. "My Mum started a Grimoire and it's mostly made up of common spells, but it's still not something that's open to anyone who walks in the house! And I'm a half-blood."

Neville nodded. "I even tried to explain that my Father added spell chains using known spells, but that the combination was something he came up with and used during the War. She thought that if it helped him, it should have been shared with anyone who was fighting."

Dean frowned and shook his head. "But then, the Death Eaters would have learned of it and prepared for it. That doesn't make sense."

"It's Hermione and knowledge," muttered Ron as he climbed into his bed. "She thinks that just because she wants to know something, she's got a right to the information." He growled and drew his bed curtains shut with a snap.

"I didn't mean to cause a problem," Neville uttered, looking down.

"No worries, Nev," Harry said with a smile. "We all know what Hermione's like with her desire to learn everything that can be learned. She'll come around, eventually."

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Hermione was one frustrated teenager. Harry had access to new and possibly fascinating spell information, and he was refusing to share it with her! Although both Ron and Neville confirmed that families kept their Grimoires confidential, she wasn't sure she believed that the book was spelled to keep others from reading it. The more she thought about it, the more curious she became. What could possibly be so important that it had to be kept confidential to the Potters?

She watched Harry closely, and noticed that he kept the Grimoire in the mokeskin bag, and that the bag was on him at all times. She was itching to browse through it and just biding her time until he left either the bag or book unattended.

Near the end of September, Harry was involved in a mid-air collision with another player during a weekend ad hoc Quidditch game.

"I'm fine," he insisted to the pick-up captain, Angelina Johnson. "Really, it's just a few scrapes and bruises."

"Yeah, and I'll be the one Madame Pomfrey tracks down if you don't go see her, since I was the organizer" replied the pretty Gryffindor. With that, she grabbed him by the arm and didn't let go until she thrust him into the Infirmary.

A few minutes later, he was installed in a bed and advised to wait one hour for the healing potion to complete its work. Harry grumbled, but had to chuckle when Neville waved to him cheerfully from the next bed. "What are you in for," he asked good-naturedly to his fellow Gryffindor.

"I was helping Professor Sprout in Greenhouse 2 and was bitten by magical spider mites," admitted the talented young herbologist. "Their bites have a mild venom, so Madame Pomfrey wants me to sleep it off under her supervision."

The two boys talked for a couple of minutes, until Harry noticed Neville's eyes getting heavy. "Go ahead and sleep, Nev," he grinned. "I'll just study for a while until Madame Pomfrey lets me go." The shy Gryffindor nodded and settled down for a nap, so Harry took out his Grimoire. He was rapidly becoming fascinated with warding and enjoyed reading about the spells and their uses.

However, within a few minutes, Ron and Hermione came to see him to make sure he wasn't seriously hurt, so he tucked the Grimoire back in the mokeskin bag, which was on the side table, but failed to fully insert it, leaving it partly visible.

"Are you OK, Harry," asked Hermione. "That looked like a hard hit."

"That was a good pick-up game," Ron enthused. "I can't believe they canceled Quidditch just for this Tournament. Why couldn't they run both?"

"I'm fine, but thanks, Hermione. And I don't know, Ron. With only one champion per school, that leaves the rest of us without much to do this year."

As the two boys complained about the lack of House Quidditch games and no Cup, Hermione noticed that Harry's Grimoire was visible on the side table. Her eyes flicked between it and the talking boys, her hand inching forward.

"Just a moment, Mr. Potter," said Madame Pomfrey, coming up and casting a diagnostic spell. "Let me see if you're ready to leave." While both boys were watching the Matron, Hermione decided that this was her chance to look at the spell book. She reached out to pick it up, but even as her hand grasped for the Grimoire, Ron shouted, "Hermione! Don't touch that!"

Hermione scowled at the ginger teen for bringing attention to her even as she still attempted to pick up the book. She immediately felt an intense sting, and dropped the tome as she yelped in pain. Her sharp yell woke Neville up, who quickly figured out what had happened.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Harry muttered as he looked at his friend holding her hand to her chest as she stared at the Grimoire in shock. "Why can't you keep your hands to yourself? Why do you assume that you have the right to take what doesn't belong to you?"

Hermione stared at the book with suspicion, even as Madame Pomfrey ran her wand over the hand that was still tingling and appeared burned. "I only wanted to look at it! What happened?"

Harry just shook his head and scowled at her, while Ron opened and closed his mouth, too shocked to actually respond. Finally Neville said from the next bed, "Hermione, I told you that Family Grimoires are spelled to prevent them from being stolen; they typically contain multiple protective curses as well as blood wards." He was going to elaborate on the Longbottom protections, but the bushy-haired girl interrupted him.

"Harry James Potter, how dare you keep a cursed book," she exploded. "You should turn it over to Professor Dumbledore immediately! It's obviously dangerous as well as cursed. He'll do what it takes to make sure it's safe."

All three boys gaped at her in disbelief. Harry noticed that even Madame Pomfrey had stopped waving her wand over Hermione's hand as she glared at the girl in astonishment. "Miss Granger, if that is a Family Grimoire, there is nothing wrong or dangerous with the book. Your own actions caused your injury. I can't imagine why you felt you had the right to touch something belonging to an Heir of a House without his express permission. If you had attempted to take a Grimoire that belonged to anyone other than your good friend, you might be facing charges with the DMLE. "

Hermione stared at the outraged Matron incredulously. "But…the book is cursed! Neville said so. Harry should give it to Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall..." She trailed off as each of the boys shook their heads.

Seeing that Harry looked upset and that Ron's temper was close to exploding, Neville tried again. "Hermione, I tried to tell you how private Grimoires are to their Families. By trying to access the Potter Grimoire without permission, you violated centuries old customs and at least one law with your actions. Now you are demanding that the future Head of House Potter shouldn't be allowed his Family Grimoire without the approval of someone who isn't even a member of the House. You had no justification to attempt to access a Potter Family heirloom and certainly have no right to discuss its use." Although rather timid, Neville added with unusual firmness, "Your behavior is extremely offensive."

Ron finally regained enough of his voice to mutter angrily, "It's just like the Firebolt. You went tattling to McGonagall and they nearly destroyed Harry's broom. You just have to butt in to things that don't concern you and insist that your opinion is the only one that matters. You always claim that our culture and traditions are out-of-date and worthless and that we should adapt to your muggle culture and traditions." He threw up his hands and said to Harry, "I can't deal with her putting down our way of life any more. Maybe you can make her understand. I have to leave before I say something that earns me a Howler from Mum." He stomped out of the Infirmary.

Hermione stared after him, and took a deep breath, starting to get angry at the multiple criticisms.

Madame Pomfrey derailed the coming rant by saying grimly, "I believe you need to spend some time in serious reflection, Miss Granger. Even I have heard some of your tirades, and I have to admit that you come across as not only intolerant, but remarkably stubborn as well. You seem to believe that after three years in our society, you know better than anyone else how our millennia-old culture should be, and you seem determined to convince everyone to conform to your personal view of right and wrong."

The older woman shook her head at the girl as Hermione opened her mouth to refute the comments. "Touching something that belongs to someone else without their express approval is both rude and inappropriate, regardless of whether it is a Family Grimoire or any other belonging. You were in the wrong and you caused the book's protections to enact. I will have to inform your Head of House of your behavior. It's beyond time for you to learn that you need to adapt to our society, not demand that society conform to your limited knowledge and expectations."

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Author's Note: While Hermione has a good heart and I like her as a character, she does come across as officious and overbearing at times (after all, no one is perfect). Although I highlighted this aspect of her character in this story, I also like to portray her as a heroine as well.