A/n: Thanks to my beta Hunter's Heir! **Not yet edited.

Written for the If You Dare Challenge prompt #71(a school bus) and the Music Appreciation Challenge.

Was there ever any question/ on how much I could take

You kept feeding me your bullshit/ hoping I would break

~ taken from Five Finger Death Punches "Coming Down"

Not too long after, Draco and I depart from Hogwarts. Everyone is in class right now, and we should be perfectly fine walking up past the wards to apparate. I'll drop us off down the street from my parents so we have a few moments to gather ourselves before going to see them. I still don't know how this meeting is going to go.

Draco's actually quite tense as we walk. I wonder why that is. When I ask him, he just rolls his eyes and crosses his arms.

"Okay, what did you do?" I ask at length when he refuses to explain. He looks my way.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't act like a child Malfoy. You're already trying to cover something up, but why? What did you do while I was off packing and saying goodbye to my friends?"

"Well, I did the same thing you did."

I narrow my eyes. "Why doesn't that sound like a good thing?"

"Why wouldn't it be a good thing?"

"Just the way you said it," I reply, shaking my head. If he's hiding something I suppose I'll figure it out eventually anyway, so there's no major need to fret. Besides, I should be more focused on what I'm going to say when I get to my parents' house.

"Do you think they'll be excited to see me?" I ask eventually, glancing his way. His eyebrows draw together.

"Why wouldn't they be? You're their daughter, and I have the feeling your one of those loving families. Of course they'll be excited."

"But what about when I bring up the Siren business? My mother's been avoiding the topic really, acting like she doesn't know something. But what if she does and I figure that out when we get there? What then?"

"Hermione, worrying yourself over it now won't do any good. You can't predict what they'll be like when we get there. You just have to wait and see. Besides, it won't be long now. Just breathe. Something tells me they could never actually hate you."

"Maybe you're right." I sigh, and we walk on in silence. I can't believe I need Draco's comfort to calm me down this much. I'm a big girl and can do that all by myself. I'm just letting my emotions get to me way too much.

"So what did you do?" I ask again when it seems that we won't be continuing our prior conversation. "Should I be concerned?"

"I didn't get hurt if that's what you mean."

"It's not," I sigh, eyeing him. "I just wonder what you did that's so secretive you can't tell me outright. Do you think I'm going to lecture you or something?"

"Oh, I can almost guarantee that one."

I stop walking, crossing my arms as I turn to face him. "Okay, now you have to tell me. What exactly did you do and why did you do it?"

He shoves his hands into his pockets, looking at me sheepishly. "I may have confronted Nott… again."

My eyes flash. "Again!? What do you mean again!?"

"Well, there was one time when he made a rather disturbing comment about you in the corridor, and I was unable to help myself. I threw him down and almost killed him. We need to get a handle on these Siren-side-affects before something really bad happens. And then earlier we passed each other in the halls and I grabbed him and questioned him. I haven't killed the bloke yet."

"But you are irrationally stupid! If you want someone to come after us this would be the perfect time for them! Merlin, I know that you're trying to get a point across and all, but it's not really going to help. If Nott decides to inform whoever he's working with about your over-protective nature then his accomplice might use that to his advantage. And we're leaving the safety of Hogwarts. We're far more vulnerable once we pass the barrier. My parents' home is only warded so well. Something will get in if we aren't careful. Actually we should strengthen the wards, just to be sure they're still safe even after we're left."

"That's all assuming that the person Nott told isn't another student. If it is, Dumbledore is likely to notice if they start disappearing from classes."

"We don't know if the accomplice is a student or not," I remind, looking around. "Even just standing here could be dangerous. Someone could be waiting on the other side of the barrier to strike us."

Draco's eyes flash, and I realize I've said the wrong thing. Now those stupid protective traits of his will kick in. Why did I do that to myself?

"I guess you can walk behind me out of here then."

"I still have to be the one to apparate us. You've never been to my home before."

He nodded. "Your right. As soon as you're out of the barrier just hug me and take off. I'm still exiting first."

Rolling my eyes I silently follow him the last few steps. There's no use arguing about something so minor when we're already in the middle of a debate. Draco has his wand drawn as he passes through the wards, stepping outside the boundaries of Hogwarts. I follow behind him and immediately wrap my arms around his torso. Just before we've apparated away I gasp.

There, in the trees to our right. A set of eyes is watching us- and they aren't animal eyes. A human saw us leave Hogwarts. But how much did they hear?

Well, shit. Draco was right to be precautious I guess.

We pass by a school bus on the way to my home. I'm a bit nervous now after having seen someone in the trees, and Draco's on edge. He keeps holding my bloody hand.

Was Dumbledore wrong to send us away from Hogwarts? Maybe it's more dangerous out here than it was back there.

"You took the potion before coming, right?" Draco asks, following me. I nod.

"Of course. And I have a few batches with me, along with the supplies to make more if necessary. I doubt I'll go through that much though. Something tells me this will be a short visit."

"You think your parents are going to hate you that much?"

"No," I reply, shaking my head, "I don't want to stay here long if someone knows where we are, especially someone who could threaten my parents. Draco, we have to strengthen the wards as soon as we get there."

"Um, sure, but won't that alarm your parents if you barge in with a guy they don't know and just automatically start strengthening the wards?"

I groan. He's probably right. "Fine, you do the strengthening and I'll talk to my parents. I suppose that'll get you out of a conversation with my father for a little bit."

"Yes, I suppose. Is this your house?"

"Yes." We pause to at the door of a quaint suburban home. Draco must think it's the size of a shoebox compared to the Manor he's always lived in. But that doesn't matter to me. It's cozy, and it's been my home for many, many years. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be Granger."

Yeah, that's kind of how I feel. Taking a breath, I try the doorknob and find it unlocked. My parents must be expecting me if they left the door open- though it is a bit odd. I would usually come through the floo.

For several seconds after closing the door behind us I don't see anyone appear. The television is on in the living room, and I can hear some sort of movie playing. Then my mother suddenly appears down the hallway in the kitchen, rushing me a moment later.

"Hermione! Oh darling, it's good to see you. I was so worried." She envelopes me in a hug, and Draco politely steps away from us during this moment. I see him wave his hand briefly, and already know he's doing what I asked; strengthening the wards.

"Hi mum," I reply, pulling back from her. Although she's beaming, she has a nervous look in her eyes; something's bothering her. It has something to do with my previous letters, I'm sure. "I'm fine. No need to worry."

She looks a bit concerned by that, but nonetheless finally directs her attention to Draco beside me. Warily, she glances between the two of us. "And… who's this?"

I pull away from my mother to grab Draco's hand, who just arches an eyebrow at me. I think we should look like we like one another more than we do for my parent's sake. It might make the news about this whole ordeal easier if they think we're in love or something.

Well… maybe.

"Mum, this is Draco," I reply, giving his hand a soft squeeze. "Draco, this is my mum Jane."

She nods, still looking a bit confused. "Okay and he is…?"

He's my mate from my Siren heritage that you still refuse to tell me about! "Why don't we wait for dad before I start explaining thing? By the way, where is he?"

"He's showering," my mother replies, looking between us. "He should be down in a few minutes. We just had lunch, but I can make something if you want-"

"We ate before we came Mrs. Granger," Draco interrupts, smiling at her. Well, at least he's polite. "But thank you."

She nods again, looking like she's in a daze. There's a look in her eye that I can't distinguish, but I can tell something's off about her. There's something my mother's hiding.

I think she knows what we are to each other already, she's just afraid to admit it.

"Why don't we sit in the living room," she continues in a daze. "Do you have any baggage? We can drop that off upstairs-"

"It's not a concern right now mum. Why don't we go sit down?"

She nods, and we follow her into the living room. I shoot a glance back at Draco as we walk.

Yup, this is going to be harder than I thought. And I already thought it was going to be hard.

It takes a very, very long time to tell my parents about everything that's been going on. I skip over a few things, like having to sleep with Draco to complete the mating process and about Nott informing someone who's probably out there planning my death. I don't mention the doll or the amount of times we've slept in the same bed either.

And a potion to keep the men in school from jumping me because my voice causes lost? Forget about it. My father would likely have a stroke if I told him anything like that.

Thankfully, Draco plays along and ignores the same parts of the story that I do. He fills things in here and there, but mostly lets me tell the story on my own. Maybe it's because my father Richard is glaring at him the entire time. Yeah, that's probably why.

"So you're… soul mates?" my mother asks when we've finished our tale. My father sits silently, glaring at Draco. I'm really glad I'm not Draco today.

"In a way," I reply, shrugging. "Because of the Siren business, we're apparently mated. He's the only person that can cure me of my voice and the person I'm supposed to be with."

So I told them about the voice issue, just not what it does. My parents won't be left completely in the dark.

My father nods tensely, obviously unhappy with this situation. I don't know a parent who would be happy with it. "And you've stopped by to tell us your pregnant or something?"

My cheeks turn red. "No dad! That's not why I stopped by. Trust me, I'm certainly not pregnant." I can see Draco looking extremely uncomfortable out of the corner of my eye. I'm sure my dad is glaring at him every second, simply because of the situation. Poor Malfoy. I guess that's what he gets for all his reckless behavior involving Nott. Yes, this has to be some form of payback on karma's part. Oh well, I'm sure Voldemort's gaze was scarier than my father's.

"So why did you stop by then love?" my mother asks, looking uncomfortable too. "We've already talked about the Siren business in some of your letters."

My eyes flash. "No mother, we haven't. Maybe you've already forgotten, but you tried to play my Siren heritage off of nothing more than a misunderstanding and you pretended that you had no idea what was going on. We haven't had a real discussion about this yet. So tell me mother, what exactly do you know about Siren's?"

Jane looks super uncomfortable, but I don't back down. For this moment in time she's only Jane, not my mother. If I put distance between my emotions and what I need to know, I might actually be able to poke at her enough to get a straightforward answer.

She looks between the three of us before dropping her gaze to her lap and sighing. "There's a box in the attic upstairs that you should go look through Hermione. Take Draco with you. When you've seen everything inside the box, come back down and speak to me. It might take a few days; don't rush. Your Headmaster said you have a week before you have to head back to school."

I'm not quite sure what to say to this. I want to press her for more answers, but she wants me to look at a box? Draco and my father look just as interested and confused as I feel. Why couldn't she just tell me? Why do I need to go looking through a box?

I want some time to strengthen the wards though with him, and it'll give us some time to talk. Nodding slowly I stand and extend a hand towards Draco. He arches an eyebrow but takes it anyway. My father shoots us a look.

"I guess I'll go looking then," I reply, my tone dry. I want my mother to hear it in my voice that I'm unhappy that she can't just tell me. What's so complicated about the past that she can't say it? Or maybe this is a plan to get me out of her hair for a few minutes so she can compose herself. "I'll have Draco put his things in the guestroom on the way there."

"You do that," my father mutters, rolling his eyes. Without another word I drag Draco from the room and up the stairs.

"I think your father might just try to kill me tonight," he says, dropping his things on the bed in the room. "He does not like me at all."

"Can you blame him? If you were the father here, you'd be unhappy too."

He shrugged. "I suppose. So where's your room?"

"Next door, why?"

"Just curious. It's something nice to know in case I have to come save you one night."

"From what? The dangers of my sheets?"

"No. Granger, you're the one who wanted to enhance the wards around this place, which is what I assume we're going to do on the way up to the attic. You're worried that something might happen too while we're out here."

I sigh. "Yes, I suppose you're right. But I know some pretty powerful protection spells, and I'm sure you do too. With the two of us cloaking this house, it would take someone quite a bit of time to break in. And I don't intend to be here long enough to give them a reason to break in. The sooner we're away from my parents' home the better."

"Oh good. You're hoping to only stay a few days then?"

"Yes, if I can help it. I need some answers, and they need to answer some of mine, but I won't linger here until the dangers passed. Once we've mated, there will be no reason for people to try to cut me upon anymore. But we won't do that at my parents' house."

"No, definitely not. You think your father hates me now? He'd really be disgusted by me if I did something like that."

"You and I both. Are you ready to get started?"

He rolls his eyes, repeating the same statement from earlier. "As I'll ever be."

Three days. We only stayed three days before I lost it and screamed at my mom. The box in the attic wasn't hard to find, as it was sealed shut and we had to use our wands to open it. I guess no one's touched it in a really long time.

I discovered a few things. Now I understand why my parents were so tense. But that doesn't mean that they should've hidden things from me that could help me. I told my mum I'd go speak to her about everything when I finished looking through the box. And I have plenty to say now.

Draco follows me downstairs to the kitchen, but remains behind me near the door as I storm in and slam my hands down on the counter. "When were you planning on telling me?!"

My mother exchanges a glance with my dad, looking nervous again. "Hermione, you have to understand that we never wanted this-"

"It doesn't matter what you wanted," I interrupt. "It didn't change a damn thing. Don't you think it would've been helpful to tell me that we aren't a regular muggle family? Don't you think I deserved to know that?!"

"Hermione, take a deep breath. We can explain-"

"No, no I'm not going to take a deep breath. I'm not going to even try to remain calm. Why didn't you tell me?! When I sent the first letter, why didn't you say something?! Why didn't you tell me what I should expect?"

"Hermione, we didn't want you to go through the same things your mother went through," my father says, finally speaking up. "We did everything we could to prohibit this. She took special medicines when she was pregnant with you to try to keep this from happening. When you went to Hogwarts, we realized things would only be more complicated. Not only would you quite possibly someday have this burden to carry, but it also means you're magical. In a way, you're in more danger than you could've been by just having the Siren heritage in you."

"You should've told me," I say, shaking my head. "You should've told me what could happen."

"We just wanted to protect you honey," my mother says, stepping closer to me. I step back, as there's too much going through my head at the moment.

"No, I don't know what you wanted. I don't think you had my best intentions in mind though when you kept it a secret from me." I turn away, grabbing Draco's hand as I pass him. "I'm going for a walk."

"Hermione-" my father tries again, but I spin on him.

"No, no more talking right now. I just need time to think." I pull Draco completely out of my house, ignoring the light rain that's falling as we exit.

I can't face them, not right now. Not with what I figured out.

My own mother knew, my own mother experienced this, yet she kept everything a secret. It's like they thought if they kept things hidden from me I wouldn't get stuck.

That's an utter lie. I got caught in the same family issues everyone else apparently did, only my parents failed to inform me that someday I would have to find a mate in order to lead a decent life. They failed to prepare me for anything.

They knew all along, and they never helped me out until now.

Why?

A/n: So I cut this kind of short because my boss called me into work early and I couldn't get as much in as I wanted. What do you think Hermione's parents told her? Let me know! We'll see a bit more family moments next chapter and there's going to be hints on who else knows Hermione's secret. That was supposed to go in here too, but again my work kind of ruined it. So my lovely sister's going to post this using my account! Hurray.

Shoot me a review if you have a second!