Hi, hope you enjoy Chapter 3. I think this is the last chapter before Hermione and Draco go off to Hogwarts so the plot should start to pick up a bit more so just bear with me.

4th March 1990

"Maya, Maya, is it a girl or a boy?" five-year-old Joseph asked the second Hermione stepped into the house after coming home from the hospital.

"A girl, her name is Aria," Hermione said. She didn't understand why her parents kept having children when they couldn't even look after them. For the most part, she had managed to protect Joseph from her parents, and he hadn't seen the worst side of them, at least to her knowledge.

Hermione just worried that things would get worse with a third child, but she knew that the Malfoys would be able to help her. They were so supportive of her and sometimes she forgot that they weren't her real parents. However, they had gone to a fancy elite party that day, so she had to leave Joseph in the house by himself while she went to the hospital and thankfully, he was okay.

Hermione went to the kitchen, Joseph following her. She looked through the cupboards and realised that they needed to go shopping again. Hermione knew that if it wasn't for her, this house would be falling apart. Not even the Malfoys knew just how bad her home life was. They had their suspicions, but they didn't know for definite, and Hermione wanted to keep it that way.

"How does soup sound? Well, you'll have to deal with it because that's all we have," Hermione said with a smile to Joseph before getting out a pan and lighting the stove.

"How long are they at the hospital for?" Joseph pondered.

"They should be arriving back on Sunday evening," Hermione said. "So, how is school?" Joseph had started reception that year and Hermione was glad that he had managed to find a few friends.

"Okay, but guess what," Joseph said, "Katie is mad because Sarah was holding hands with Thomas and Katie is Thomas' girlfriend, so it is getting very dramatic".

"I bet. Aren't you like five? Isn't that a bit young for girlfriends and all that stuff?" Hermione asked in amusement. She loved it when Joseph told her about school. She had managed to make sure that Joseph had a better childhood than she had, and she was so glad that the Malfoys had been there to help her. Every step of the way. Every single time.

Hermione was always round at their house and Narcissa and Lucius loved having her. Hermione knew that they were very rich but that was the only thing they had in common with her parents. They made her so happy, and she was so thankful for the Malfoys helping her to look after Joseph all these years. Hermione and Draco ended up forming a bond with two of their neighbours, who moved in a few months ago. They were twin sisters Alina and Polina originally from Russia. The twins were a few years older than them, but they still had a strong bond and connection. They were also really talented rhythmic gymnasts and loved showing off their flexibility. However, they were at a boarding school in Russia for most of the year, so they didn't see them as much.

On top of that, Draco and Hermione still had Anna, Lily and Emily from school as well as Draco's 'rich' friends that Hermione had become close with over the past few years and whenever they did hang out, they at least tried not to leave Hermione out and at that she was grateful for them even if she didn't have a super close bond with any of them. But they were all friendly enough in Hermione's eyes.

19th September 1990

"Happy birthday, Maya," Draco said to her as they left the school gates on the way home.

"Thank you. You haven't mentioned it over 100 times already today," Hermione said with a smile as she grabbed hold of her brother's hand as they crossed the road.

"Did your parents get you anything?" Draco asked.

"Did they heck. I don't think my parents would even know today was my birthday. They probably don't even know how old I am. They won't care either way," Hermione said with a sigh.

"Why don't Mum and Dad care about us, Mia?" Joseph asked and Hermione felt so sad. She had tried so hard to protect her siblings. She had done everything she could, and it still wasn't enough. She had still failed. She felt a tear roll down her face.

"Come on Maya. It's your birthday. Don't let your parents ruin it for you," Draco said as he wiped the tear from her face. Hermione just gave a sad smile before they continued walking.

When they reached the Malfoy Manor, Hermione immediately went to find her sister Aria.

"She's doing just fine Hermione, no need to worry," Narcissa called from one of the many sitting rooms.

"Azza!" Joseph shouted as he saw his little sister and gave her a huge hug. Hermione just silently left the room to find solitude in the library. She breathed a sigh of relief when she closed the mahogany doors behind her. She had been trying so hard this past year.

Her parents had finally noticed that she had been sneaking out of the house a few nights of the week and they weren't happy. They didn't care about Aria and Joseph as much, and Hermione was always the one they punished for anything. Hermione had tried using the excuse that she was staying at a friend's who helped her study, but her father had made it clear that she wasn't allowed friends as they only distracted her from her studies, and she was punished even worse.

Lucius entered the library and saw Hermione staring out of one of the windows. She usually did that whenever she was overthinking and stressed. Lucius just carefully walked over to her and sat at the table across from her. The young girl looked towards him after a few seconds.

"I can't stay over tonight," Hermione mumbled with a sigh before looking away again.

"Did something happen?" Lucius asked with genuine concern. He had no idea what went on at home and he knew he didn't want to know. He just hoped it was one of better circumstances. He wanted to get here away from them but with no solid proof the muggle or even wizarding services would be able to do anything. The number of times he had been tempted to use legilimancy to find out what was going on but had to restrain himself as he knew she would only tell them when the time was right.

He was also concerned about next year. He knew that she was a muggle which meant that she wouldn't be able to join Draco and the rest of them at Hogwarts. He was surprised they had managed to keep it a secret from her for so long. After the dark lord's demise, the Malfoy's had moved from Malfoy manor to a muggle town, called Oakenshade, a few hours away to try and leave their old life behind them.

"No offence Lucius but it's not any of your business," Hermione whispered before turning back towards the window once more.

"Of course, sweetheart. Just remember that we're always here for you," Lucius said with a smile before leaving the girl alone. Hermione just meekly smiled before turning to the book in front of her. It was nice to know that the Malfoys cared for her, but she couldn't tell them. She just couldn't.

Hermione left the Malfoy house that night despite Narcissa, once again, insisting she stayed over but Hermione couldn't anger her parents especially when they were already so mad at her. She had left Joseph and Aria at the Malfoys though; they couldn't see her parents at their worst.

When Hermione entered the house, she was confused. Her parents were sitting in the living room with a random lady she had never seen before. Her parents never had guests at the house. But this woman didn't look like anybody that her parents would be friends with. She looked too old and just not their type of friend.

"Oh, you must be Hermione, come sit there's nothing to fear," the woman said with a small smile. Hermione could sense her parents glaring at her, she didn't know what she had done wrong this time.

"I'm sorry ma'am did I do anything wrong," Hermione said in a whisper looking at the ground.

"Oh no, today is your eleventh birthday, correct," the woman said. Hermione was very suspicious. How did this woman know that today was her birthday?

"Uhm, how did you know that?" Hermione asked sternly.

"Well to put it frankly Hermione, you're a witch," the woman said. "Has anything ever happened that you couldn't explain when you were angry or scared".

"I guess," Hermione said but it hadn't happened enough for her to think it was too unusual or take note of it. It happened about once a year if that.

"There is a school called Hogwarts, the best in the entire world, and you have been offered a place there. You will learn to control your magic and master the art of many types of magic from potions and charms to herbology and transfiguration, my personal favourite. So will you attend".

"Yes, I would like that. If that's okay with you," remembering her parents.

"Of course, darling," her father said. It was the first time he had ever been remotely nice to her, even if it was just fake. The woman on the other hand did not notice the man's fake comments.

"How lovely. As it is only the start of the school year there is no point getting your school supplies yet, but I will be back in the summer and escort you to get all your supplies," The woman said before standing up and leaving the house.

"Why did you say yes? You are a fucking idiot," Her mother screamed at her father almost forgetting Hermione was in the room. They did this a lot, not acknowledging her despite her being right next to them. She was used to it by now.

"Well, we can get rid of the little bitch for most of the year and not have to deal with her stupidity and annoyingness. We can have the house to ourselves, sweetheart," Her father said. Of course, he wouldn't just agree with her to be nice. He had to have his own stupid reason.

"Anyway, girl why didn't you come straight home after school, and you never told us that today was your birthday. Why not!" Her mother demanded finally acknowledging that Hermione existed and was in the same room as them.

Hermione finally snapped. "I was at the library for your information, and I didn't tell you that it was my birthday because even if I did you wouldn't give a fuck!" She screamed. Everybody froze for a second and Hermione was scared. Why did she have to open her mouth? She would be lucky if she was still alive tomorrow.