Song Suggestion: The Cinematic Orchestra- "To Build a Home"

A/N: The explanation for tokens/ Trials/ any other world building will be discussed in various chapters. You will figure it out as she does. Right now, she's only a child with a limited understanding of the world. She's extremely sheltered, and her knowledge of certain things is repressed. We see the dark undercurrents, but she doesn't.

A/N 2: HEA= Happily Ever After. Dramione will have HEA, but it's not guaranteed for any other character.

The MVP for this chapter is my beta, MyPrivateInsanity!

Loopholes

Hermione was the one who found it—a shimmering hole in the wards.

"What's that?"

"I don't know." Theo crawled over the thickets, getting several scratches in the process. Hermione pushed some overgrown plants out of the way. The wards had a faint buzzing sound, and as they got closer, it grew louder. Every December, Theo and Titus put a drop of blood at each of the four corners of the property to fortify the old spells, which had held strong for six hundred years. But all magic had loopholes, or so Tabitha told her once.

"I knew there must be some small rip, but I never thought I'd find it." Theo reached forward and ran his hand through the shimmer. "Wicked," he said. "We could pass right on through if we wanted."

The Nott grounds were massive. Hermione always unearthed some new corner to explore—old statues standing near small ponds, berries growing near a creek, gnarled trees with thick lower branches perfect for climbing. They spent most of their time outdoors, pretending to sword fight like muggles or battling imaginary dragons, so it stood to reason they'd discover the ward hole eventually.

"Let's see where it goes," Hermione said. "Maybe it will take us to the Fae lands."

Theo shook his head.

"We'd get in so much trouble if we left the grounds without permission. We could get lost or hurt… or the Order could come and snatch us away."

"Maybe tomorrow we could," she said. "We'd just hop out and hop in."

Theo seemed conflicted.

"Maybe," he said. "But Titus comes back from Hogwarts today for the summer. He wouldn't like it if I put you in danger. Sorry, Hermione, I don't think we can."

Disappointment arrived first. She hated leaving things unexplored. The shimmering hole called to her curiosity. In fact, she thought she saw another ward hole three trees over, but since Theo was ungrateful about her first find, she didn't wish to show him her second.

The fear arrived as they walked back to the manor. Titus was returning — the monster in the dark robe and black mask. He'd been home for Christmas and Easter, and both times they avoided each other. Hermione shied away from his piercing gaze, either staying in the library or outside to escape him, and Titus never searched her out.

A whole summer with him being home sounded horrible, and she felt sick to her stomach.

Hermione hid out in her room the rest of the day, complaining of feeling ill. She didn't lie. Her heart flipped and squeezed with her growing anxiety.

She heard voices in the afternoon: Titus' deep laugh, Theo's high-pitched complaint, Tabitha's chiding. A part of her wished to be out with them, but she couldn't make herself move from the bed. The elves brought dinner to her room, but she couldn't eat it, only managing to drink the pumpkin juice.

The idea occurred to her in the middle of the night. The thoughts of Titus made the memories of her parents hurtle back to her in a complicated, confusing rush. She understood enough to know her father wasn't sleeping and would never come back. But her mother – maybe Lucius lied. Her mum must miss her terribly.

With that thought, Hermione got out of bed and grabbed a bag, stuffing it with some clothes. She put on her dragon hide hiking boots. After some consideration, she took two dinner rolls and wrapped them in a shirt, stuffing them down into the bag.

Once done, she walked out of the room, throwing the bag over her shoulder. She avoided the elves, knowing their routines. When she passed by Theo's room, she briefly reconsidered her plan, blinking back tears while staring at his closed door. Hermione would miss him with her whole heart, Tabitha too, but she needed to find her mum.

No one stopped her as she walked out of the house and trundled through the brambles and thorns. At night, the countryside turned sinister. The bushes transformed into monsters, the trees into giant demons. Noises made her peer into the dark, but she kept on walking, heart hammering, until she found the shimmering hole. The thicket of shrubbery almost caught her with its thorns, but she deftly climbed over it.

Hermione took a deep breath and passed through the shimmer. She expected to feel something, but when she looked back there was nothing to indicate a barrier of any sort.

Seeing nothing but countryside in every direction, she hesitated, wondering which way to go. Forward, she thought. Hermione marched along until she became tired and crouched down next to a flowing creek, taking a deep drink of water. She took out the rolls and chewed on them.

After she finished, Hermione climbed a nearby tree to the furthest branch she could reach. What she found made her stomach sink – absolutely nothing. She was all alone. It almost made her despair, but she kept going with her plan, climbing back down.

Further into the hike, Hermione found some berries she recognized tangled under a giant tree, illuminated by the moonlight. She popped several in her mouth, sucking the liquid out, enjoying the flavor bursting on her tongue. But after eating, she could no longer ignore her fear. She sat down, curling her feet under her, knowing she was too little for this trip. She'd never find home, having no idea where to even go. Maybe she'd be lost forever.

Before she could start crying, she heard a snap of branches. Hermione was startled and turned to find Titus walking slowly toward her. She froze, the fear racing through her again, but when he got closer, he crouched down.

"I know you're scared of me, but I'm not going to hurt you."

"Am I in trouble?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.

"I'm not your parent, Hermione. I must look like an adult to you, but I'm still a kid myself… just older." He hesitated and reached into the bag by his side, extracting a purple box and holding it out to her. "I got this for you on the train ride. I thought you might like it. You haven't tried wizarding candy yet."

Hermione eyed the box with trepidation, but eventually she reached out and accepted it. Walter Filbus had offered her a blue feather candy the first terrible night, but she'd refused it. Since then, she'd wondered what it would have tasted like.

"What is it?" She examined the box, flipping it over.

"A chocolate frog," he said. "Go ahead, open it."

She did as he asked and almost squealed when it hopped right out of the package. She caught the frog, shoving it to her mouth, and then laughed, surprising even herself. Titus watched her with a soft smile. It relaxed his face and turned him from a monster into… something else. Not a parent. Not a brother. Not a friend. He was a new category of person in her life she had trouble labeling.

Hermione smiled at him.

"Thank you," she said. "How did you know I was out here?"

"I saw you walk out of the manor, so I followed, curious to see where you were going. It looked like you were on an important mission with your bag, marching along. Imagine my surprise when you slipped right through the wards without detection. Not only did you manage the impossible, but you navigated all the way here, feeding yourself, getting water. You reminded me of a fairy sprite, wandering in the dark, tenacious and clever."

Pride filled Hermione. Something about Titus made a person want to gain his approval, his attention, his acceptance. He still scared her a little, but she found herself able to relax. Noticing her loose posture, Titus came over and sat next to her. He brought out his own chocolate frog to eat.

"You followed me the whole way?" She asked, sucking the lingering sweetness off her fingers.

"The whole way," he confirmed.

"Why didn't you try to stop me?"

He paused, taking a bite of chocolate, and glanced into the treetops up toward the multitude of stars.

"I think you needed to wander a little. We all do sometimes." He looked down at her. "But we need to go home eventually."

They sat in silence, listening to the comforting sound of wind rustling leaves. Something choked her a little, and she needed to get it out.

"I wanted to find my mum," she admitted. "My old home."

"I thought that might be the case." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Do you want to know an adult lesson? I think I learned it earlier than I should have."

Hermione bit her lip but nodded.

"Sometimes, after a long time away, we find our home has changed. It's turned into something else, and it will never go back to what it was before. Even if it looks the same, the journey changes us, and the home we once belonged to makes us feel like trespassers." He paused, as if trying to determine what he wished to say next. "When my parents died, my whole world shifted, and my home felt foreign. And then you came. It was… an adjustment. I wasn't sure of it before, but we all fit together now. There's no going back, Hermione. Your home is now with me, Theo, and Tabitha. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

She understood enough. She may find home, but it wouldn't be the same home she ran from. Not with her mummy and daddy gone. Because her mum was dead too. She knew it in her bones. Hermione trembled, though it didn't gut her with grief like it used to. Titus reached out and patted her back.

"Come on, let's go back. I have a whole bag of candy for you to try."

Hermione perked up a little.

"Really?"

When Titus smiled, his whole face lit, displaying matching dimples and sparkling eyes. It made her feel oddly safe, though she wasn't sure if she trusted it yet. They both stood up at the same time, brushing off dirt and leaves.

"You need to try the jellybeans. One time I got a vomit flavored one, but most of them are delicious. The surprise is what makes them fun."

Hermione hesitated but let him lead her back to the manor.


Three years later, Hermione stood in Diagon Alley, waiting for Theo to exit the quidditch shop. She'd never been anywhere but the manor, so her eyes stayed wide, as she took in all the sights and smells. The number of people almost overwhelmed her.

"Why haven't you brought me here before?" Hermione twirled on the cobblestone street with her arms out and her face turned to the overcast sky. "It's wonderful!"

Titus ran a hand through his short hair, curling at the ends, dark blue eyes glancing around in a state of alert. He had his wand drawn. Many of the young witches stared at him, though he didn't seem to look back at them, too focused on some invisible threat. He was a rising star in the auror department, unusual for a wizard so young. Even if he had been average looking and unemployed, he was still the heir to the Nott name and fortune. It made him an attractive prospect for a partner. Or, at least, that's what Tabitha told her.

Many of the missions he went on involved high-ranking officials. If he kept it up, he was set to achieve the title of Mediator within ten years. She wasn't sure what he did exactly, except he dealt with the muggle government and stopped rebellions and terrorist attacks. It made her feel proud to stand beside him, belonging to his household.

Another girl giggled when she walked past, glancing at Titus, and Hermione felt the desire to glare at her.

"It's not safe," he finally answered her question. "The Order is still active, and there are some desperate wizards who might also steal a muggleborn. But you deserve to see Diagon Alley, so I'm willing to risk it."

The Order scared her. Both Titus and Theo explained how evil they were. They forced her father to work for them, which resulted in his death. It made sense. Why else would her father attack peaceful wizards? They had no choice but to kill him. Her tutor told her the Order's mission was to steal muggleborns from their pureblood homes. Sometimes she had nightmares about them ripping her away from Nott manor, and sometimes she had nightmares about her father, but those were beginning to get fuzzy in her head. During the day, she tried not to think too much about either.

"Why would another wizard steal me?"

Titus' eyes slid to her and he frowned.

"Didn't your tutor explain it yet?"

"A little," Hermione said. "Just that wizards need muggleborns because Dumbledore cursed the purebloods before he died. He said I was very important and rare, and I'm providing an invaluable service to the wizarding community. But when I asked what service I'll provide, he said that was a question to ask you."

Titus blew out a hard breath.

"I'll tell you when you're older."

She didn't like that.

"Why can't I know now?"

His cheeks turned red, but she didn't understand what there was to be embarrassed about.

"Because you can't."

"I'm not a little kid anymore. Wait… does it have to do with babies? Theo said muggleborns have babies, though I'm not sure why that matters."

"What do you know about having babies?"

"Not much. Theo said a witch and a wizard get naked and hug—"

Hermione's next words died in her mouth. Now it was Hermione's turn to feel embarrassed. Somehow, she knew it wasn't a subject to be talked about in public. Titus didn't look comfortable either, shifting his feet.

"Theo needs to quit talking about things he doesn't understand. Do you ever stop asking questions?"

She shook her head, and his lip jumped in a small smirk.

"No, I want to know everything."

It looked like he might respond to that, but Theo ran out of the quidditch shop, holding new top-of-the-line quidditch leathers. He jumped in excitement.

"I found some in your size, Hermione!"

Hermione wrinkled her nose.

"No thanks."

She hated quidditch, and she hated flying, but that didn't stop Theo from trying to make her like it.

Titus gave a loud laugh, showing off his dimples in a wide smile. Hermione's cheeks felt hot at the sight, and she wondered why it made her stomach feel twisted. It was the same response as embarrassment, but warmer, more exciting, and crossed her body in a rush.

"You have about as much chance of getting Hermione on a broom as you do beating me in a duel."

Theo stuck out his tongue at his brother, and Titus tried to pull it.

"Where to next, baby brother?"

"Hey… I'm not a baby!" Theo yelled. "I'm almost ten years old."

"A bookstore!" Hermione shouted, trying to stop the sibling fight before it escalated. Titus tended to be merciless in his teasing. "Please, let's go and buy books next. Please, please, please."

She jumped up and down with her hands clasped together.

Titus rolled his eyes but gave her an endearing smile.

"I don't think it's possible for me to say no to you, especially when you look at me with those puppy eyes. Honestly, it's unfair. I should punish you more before you're spoiled beyond repair."

It was a joke, because he never punished her, letting her do what she wished. She snuck in on Theo's schooling, until eventually Titus let her stay.

"The other wizards won't like how educated she is," Tabitha had warned, not knowing she stood behind the door.

Titus had only shrugged.

"It helps Theo pay attention to his lessons with her there. Besides, I don't think I could keep her from it even if I tried. She's too smart for her own good. Might as well oversee the education. What could it hurt? It only raises the standards for her future. The wizard that gets her will have to be worthy of her, intelligent and clever."

Tabitha only eyed him with a half-hidden smile.

"I think Theo won't be the only one reluctant to give her up when the time comes."

He frowned at that.

"It's my duty to find her a good match. I'm not accepting tokens from incompetent wizards. Hermione will have the best."

"Duty… of course." Tabitha let her eyebrow raise.

"Fine," he conceded. "I care for the girl. Not sure how that happened, but she's not like the other muggles. Maybe I got her out before they could corrupt her."

After hearing that, Hermione was glad Titus took her when he did. Imagine if she grew up as a muggle! Just the thought made her want to shiver in disgust. The next chance she got she hugged Titus. Physical affection didn't happen often between them, but she'd been so overwhelmed with love for Theo, Tabitha, Titus, and even the little elves, she couldn't stop herself. Her arms cinched around his stomach. He stiffened, but then ruffled her hair.

"What's this for?"

"I'm just happy I'm here."

"Well–" It sounded like something caught in his throat. "I'm happy you're here too. Now go find Theo. I just know he's trying to sneak out of his spelling lessons."


On their way to the bookstore, they passed Ollivander's wand shop and got distracted. Theo pressed his nose to the glass, and Hermione copied him.

"I can't wait to get one next year," Theo said.

Hermione frowned. An ugly emotion tangled inside her. It surprised her with the intensity.

"Can I have one too?" she asked Titus, already knowing he'd say no.

Muggleborns used a ministry-approved wand that blunted spells. Hermione didn't want to be limited to cleaning spells or a simple Lumos. Last year, during history lessons, the tutor showed her and Theo a memory of Voldemort and Dumbledore's duel. The bright colors snapping around, the power electrifying even through the memory—it made something inside her sizzle. The magic in her chest responded to the image, curling out to her fingers, just begging to be released.

She was never foolish enough to play with magic with anyone watching. Even Titus might be wary that she could control it a little. It wasn't normal, she knew this, even among pureblood children. In her free time, she moved objects a fraction with willpower and could turn on and off lights. Imagine what she could do with a wand! It felt instinctively wrong to deny her something essential to being a witch just because she was born to muggle parents, though, she realized, the ministry must have some reason to deny muggleborns wands.

"Sorry, Sprite, you know you can't. Not from Ollivander's.".

He tugged on her braid when she frowned, unable to hide her disappointment.

"Hey, let's forget about wands and go get those books you wanted. I'll buy you three if you stop looking at me like that… okay, five."

"And ice cream," Hermione said.

"You're a ruthless negotiator, knowing I'll do anything to cheer you up. Fine, books then ice cream, but you have to promise not to ask me about wands again."

She nodded, but she didn't give a verbal promise, a loophole she hoped he overlooked.

Because she planned to have a real wand one day, with or without his approval.