The room was not what I expected it looked like a common room at Hogwarts. There were big comfy chairs and sofas. I wasn't expecting others to be there. I was in a room full of Slytherins. What did mum get me into. I know I shouldn't participate in the house rivalry but seriously 80% of the people here bullied me at one point in my life.

"Rowland, you cousin is the mudblood" Pansy said in disbelief.

"Pansy, I told you to never use that word again." Malfoy reminded her. "Blood doesn't matter anymore and besides if Rowland is pure that means Granger here is at least half blood."

"Yeah and I'm the queen of the England. There is a chance that Rowland is halfblood and we shouldn't associate with anyone that's not pureblood." Pansy tried to argue.

"Pansy shut up! No one is on your side." The guy sitting on the tall green chair by the fireplace, I think his name is Theodore Nott.

"Plus you are a hypocrite anyhow, Pansy." Blaise said crossing his arms. "Your best friend is Nina, Rowland's sister. So if you shun Rowland you have to shun her. Oh wait you already did because she did what Snape told her to do. Yes, she fought on our side for part of the war but she chose to change when Snape offered for Tobais' safe return and that's all the family wanted."

Pansy was furious. I could see steam coming from her ears. "That's right you knew from the beginning because she is the love of your life. You know there is no such thing it's just a figment of your imagination and besides you can do better than Nina."

Pansy was defiantly pissing everyone off and I didn't want to be in the middle of this. Though what was being said surprised me. "I actually think that I'm lucky because she is the one that deserves better than me." Blaise said in almost a whisper.

Pansy laughed "What a lie, she's a blood traitor."

"Just shut up." I yelled before I could even stop myself.

Everyone looked at me in disbelief. "Excuse me, mudblood." Pansy tried to say in a sassy way but came out as more of someone in shock.

I took a deep breath and said "You heard me. Shut up. No one cares what you think. It's very obvious that you stand alone on this matter."

"You stupid Bitch." Pansy yelled as she flung herself at me. I prepared for the worst but instead I feel a set of strong arms grab me and pull me back away from her. As fast as they had appeared they vanished.

"Pansy, I think you should leave and not come back. You have broken our code one to many times." Malfoy said with an authoritative voice.

"But Draco, you can't side with her she's the enemy."

"Watch me" he said through gritted teeth. The next thing I knew pansy was flying down a hallway and disappears quickly the hall vanished. "Well she's gone and wont be back. Thank Merlin." I watched Malfoy walk over and grab a bottle of Fire Whiskey.

"Mate why did you even keep her around? She was crazy from the beginning." Blaise asked.

"I did it because of my father and now that I am rid of him I can get rid of the liars in my life." Malfoy said still gritting his teeth. He opened them enough to take a shot of Whiskey. Malfoy turned to me. "Fire Whiskey?"

"I don't drink." I replied shyly. Why am I being shy it's not like I have to impress them.

"Not surprised. Miss Gryffindor Princess is unable to do something bad even if she is of age to do it." Malfoy said to me as he plopped down on the couch.

"No because I don't trust you to even become the slight bit intoxicated around you." I said in my matter of fact tone. I crossed my arms hoping to get my point across.

"What do you think...That we would rape you?" Nott Joked

"I don't know what you would do. Remember I am an innocent Gryffindor." I decided to joke back. If i'm stuck here I might as well make the best of it.

"Well its time for you to start relating to your cousin who is a Slytherin. So come join the cunning side we have Whiskey and cookies." Nott continued to joke.

"Let me get to know them first before I do anything." I replied.

Nott had more than likely had been drinking before I came. Or at least I was going to think so that I didn't feel too uncomfortable that a Slytherin wanted me to drink for what reason I don't know. "Alright you hear the girl. Rowland confess yourself so she will relax and have a drink."

"She wont have time time to drink with you lot. She will be to busy getting ready for tonight. Hello Hermione, long time no see." I didn't notice that someone else had walked in. Thank goodness it was Bella. She was an acquaintance of mine from Ravenclaw we had worked together on some projects.

"Hello Bella How are you?"

Bella laughed "I'm doing good. I find it funny that we are related don't you."

I went to reply but I was interrupted by Rowland. "What took you so long? It's your turn to babysit her. I'll be home in time for the gala." With that he turned to Malfoy and took the bottle and pored himself a glass.

"Oh shove it brother dearest." Bella jabbed back.

"Bella, where is Nina?" Blaise asked he seemed to be skeptical of something.

"She told me to tell you that she will see you tonight." Bella said as if it was force. All of a sudden Blaise appeared behind her and whispered something in her ear. She giggled and he kissed her cheek.

"Blaise are you cheating on Nina with Bella?" Nott said in disbelief.

The room laughed except for Nott and I. I was so confused. "You really need to learn to tell the difference between Bella and me." the girl spoke. "Sorry to confuse you Hermione. Bella wanted to come and get you but she got caught up with Astoria and fixing her dress." The girl held out her hand "I'm Seraphina, Nina for short. I am sorry about being apart of the group that picked on you all those years I hope we can start over."

"Of course Nina, I would love too." I said taking her hand with a smile.

"Awesome lets go." Nina spun on her toes and kissed Blaise. "I'll see you tonight. Please don't be too drunk."

"Anything for you love." He kissed her again and smiled.

Nina grabbed my hand and we headed down a hallway labeled Harlow. All of a sudden Nina stopped. "Oiy, Draco I forgot to tell you good pick the dress looks beautiful. Thank you for picking it up this morning with Blaise."

"No problem Nina. I hope you like it Granger." Malfoy said to be before Nina and I dissipated though the end of the hallway.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"I'll explain when we get into the house."

"Into the house? Where are going into Malfoy Manor?"

Nina laughed. "You might be the brightest witch of our age but you sure are having a hard time figuring out that where we just were is connected to more than just Malfoy Manor. It connects to each of our Manors. We are currently in the Harlow Gardens behind our house. The Hideout also connects to Hogsmeade ."

"Oh so it's like a portal to many places?" I asked

"Yes and the kids are the only ones allowed in and once you are apart of the group your home will be added." Nina explained. "It's is safe from any outsiders. You were allowed in today because like it or not you are now apart of us."

She was explaining so much to me about their hideout but I could only focus on the fact that it would connect to my 'home' I said without knowing. "I don't think I have a home anymore. It was attacked when Rowland apparated me out of there."

Nina took a breath. "You house was attacked. Your mum got out and your father is safe as well. I'm not allowed to tell you much more. I'm sorry."

"Can you at least tell me about my family like who all is in it?" I asked hoping she would tell me somehting.

She shook her head. "I can't tell you but I can show you our family tree if that will help?"

"That would please." She nodded and I followed her up to the Manor through many hallways and up stairs until they reached a room with a gold plaque that read 'Stemma'. Nina began to explain not knowing if I could read Latin. "It means..."

"Family" I finished her sentence with a smile.

"You already fit into our family." she laughed. "Come in. Your part of the tree was just recorded the other day. This wall adjust according to who is identified as in the family and by blood. Your section of the wall was blank and would have remained blank until we were united."

I looked at the wall and found my name. It had a line next to it. I traced my fingers over the line. "The line means you have met your sole mate now you just have to fill in the blank of who."

"Really this knows a lot." I was baffled. I ran my eyes up the wall to my mother then to my grandfather. I had never met him. Supposedly mum never did either. Then I connected him to whom I assumed to be his first wife. Then down to their daughter who is the mother of Nina and Rowland. I notice Bella's name as well as another 'Tobias' Once again I looked over his name.

"Tobias is my little brother. He will start Hogwarts this year. He's very innocent but yet he's not. When the war began in 4th year he was taken and held captive until last year when Rowland braved the fight and brought him home. Please don't be hard on Rowland he has been through a lot and he wasn't always this negative. His girlfriend was killed in the war he had planned to propose to her tonight." Nina was explaining more than what I thought she would. I noticed Nina had two lines with hers. One that looked like mine connecting to her 'invisible' Sole Mate then from that line there was a small line down. I thought about asking what that meant but I had an idea and that she probably wasn't ready to talk about it.

"So what is going on tonight?" I asked thinking it was time to change the subject.

Nina's face immediately brightened. "The family gala. You will love it." Nina pulled me back down the hall and down a different set of stairs. Man there are a lot of stairs in this house. I will defiantly get lost easily. We came to a stop in front of a grand door. A face appeared on the front of the door. "Hello Miss Seraphina, who is your friend?"

"Hello Ostium, this is Hermione my cousin. please ready her room across the hall from mine."

"Of course Miss Seraphina. Please answer the riddle to enter. What always runs, but never walks, often murmurs, never talks, has a bed, but never sleeps, and has a mouth, but never eats?"

"A river." I answered quickly.

"Very good Miss Hermione. Bella and Astoria are in the main room waiting for you both."

The doors opened and I was tackled. "Hermione!" a voice squealed.

"Hey Bella. You are Bella right." I laughed pulling back and looking at her.

"Yes did Nina trick you?"

"Yes but it's okay Nott's face was priceless thinking Blaise was cheating on her."

"What happened?" Astoria spoke for the first time. She stepped forward. "I'm Astoria. It's nice to meet you Hermione. By the way there is two letters that have been dropped off for you." She said holding out the letters.

"Thank you." I said taking the letters. One was from Hogwarts which was weird because I already got my school supplies and the other was from Ron. Her and Ron had kind of been dating since the war but it was as though we just put on a title. We didn't act any different around each other. We were just best mates. It was hard because I thought we had potential to be more but it is looking as though that's not going to happen. This is the first time he has written in weeks. I decided to open that one first.

Hermione,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been doing a lot of thinking. With Harry and I starting the Auror training and not coming back to school and that you are. I think it might be better for you and I to go back to being friends. So there are no distractions during the year and if in the end we still care for each other we can give it another try. I'm sorry Hermione. I hope you understand.

Love you Always,

Ron

My eyes filled with tears. I wasn't heartbroken just surprised but in a way kind of grateful. "May I borrow a quill and paper?" I asked my cousins.

"Of course. Are you okay?" Bella asked handing me what I asked for.

"Yeah just shocked."

"We are here for you if you want to talk." Nina said and the others nodded.

"Thank you but I am fine." I finished up my letter and used the owl to send it back to Ron along with the necklace he got for me after the war. I turned back to them and said. "So tell me about the gala." I tried to put as big and sincere of a smile on as I could.

I hope you like it so far. I have a few twists and turns coming up. Keep reading . Thanks!