Though she was extremely happy at having her daughter home for the summer holidays, in truth Emma Granger couldn't help but be concerned by how different Hermione was compared to how she had been before she had went to Hogwarts.

Her daughter had always been the studious sort. Especially in recent years when it became apparent that Hermione's classmates had lost any interest in including her in any social activity.

But this, this was bordering on obsessive.

She could understand the desire to want to know everything there was about a world that, until recently, had been dismissed as fiction and fantasy.

But the way her baby girl was acting, it was as if her life depended on increasing her knowledge at a rate that would make even make an Oxford Professor concerned.

However, thanks to the information her husband Daniel had managed to get out of the father of perhaps the only consistent friend Hermione had managed to make, she was able to form an idea of why her daughter was acting the way she was.

When the Grangers had first been informed about the existence of the Wizarding World by the woman who headed the dorm Hermione had been sorted into, they had been told that Magical Britain had recently witnessed a low-scale war over the differentiating ideas on how society should be structured.

But it was now apparent that things were much worse.

It didn't matter that the fighting had ended with the defeat of the magical version of Hitler.

What mattered was that apart from a small minority, magical society was comprised of those that either viewed nonmagicals, or Muggles as they were referred to in Britain, as barely being human or as an easily dismissed curiosity.

Which meant that there was always a chance for her daughter to be targeted for what she was rather than who she was.

A fear that would almost inevitably come to pass since Hermione's eagerness to learn would surely attract the attention of those that believed she wasn't worthy of being part of that world.

Sadly, there wasn't much either she or her husband could do.

As a witch without any magical background, Hermione was now considered to be under the legal jurisdiction of Britain's magical government. Which severely curtailed their ability to exercise their parental rights in regard to Hermione's well-being.

Which sadly meant that they would have to allow their daughter to continue her less-than-healthy study habits.

If only because they gave Hermione the chance to not only survive the society she had become a part of but also thrive in it.

…..

While the rest of the Burrow was engaged in various types of chaos, in a room belonging to one Percy Ignatus Weasely there was only the order.

His clothes were neatly put away in the small dresser that had once belonged to his uncle fabian.

His bed was neatly folded, and covered with appropriate seasonal knittings of his mother.

And perhaps the most important of all, his desk was organized to a degree that would make even his biased potions professor nod in approval.

Sadly however, while he was safely sequestered in his room, writing a letter to a girl whose existence he would keep secret from his prank loving brothers, the third eldest child of the Weasley Family could nevertheless hear every noise created by his less than organized family.

Whether it was the so-called 'experiments' of the twins, their mother's shrill reaction to them, or his only sister's attempts to badger his youngest brother into telling her more of Hogwarts, it was obvious that he would be less productive than he desired.

Which was why he couldn't wait until he was old enough to follow the examples of his elder brothers, and perhaps to a lesser extent his father.

For as soon as the former had graduated from Hogwarts, they had swiftly fled the Burrow so they could concentrate on their careers without having to be constantly interrupted by the members of their family.

And though he wished that his father had chosen to pursue a more financially rewarding career path, Percy could nevertheless appreciate his father's choice to conduct all of his business at the Ministry instead of taking it home with him.

Thankfully, with his OWLs all but cementing his chances of becoming Head Boy next year, he was confident that he would only have to put up with his home life for another two years. Three at the most.

Which he supposed was unfortunate since he would be unable to have much influence during the course of Ginny's academic career.

With the Twins being their usual selves, and Ronald being a less than acceptable role model, especially when he was voicing admiration for the violent underhanded methods of Potter, Percy supposed that he would have to do what he could in the time he had to ensure that Ginny didn't end up like her more immature brothers.

For even though he was…different from the other members of the family, he was still a Weasley.

And Weasleys looked out for one another.

…..

"Draco. Care to explain what this is?"

Doing his best not to sneer at his only child's nervous expression, Lucius proved that such a question was rhetorical as he proceeded to answer the question in a manner that was highly reminiscent of his defeated master.

"It's a record of the grades achieved by last term's first year students. And I have to say that after reading it, I find myself very…disappointed."

Tossing the offending piece of paper at his son and heir, who at least had the presence of mind not to drop the thing, the elder Malfoy allowed his expression to betray just a little of his fury as Draco tried to make light of the situation.

"But father I'm in the top te.."

"And that is ONE of the reasons why I'm disappointed in you boy. It is one thing to accept a position of mediocrity when your competition comprises those who could be considered your equals. But to claim such a thing after being surpassed by those who are your natural inferiors? That is nothing but a disgrace."

His son's reaction, while childish, nevertheless revealed that there was still some hope for the boy.

If he was being generous of course.

"It's not my fault. Apart from Snape, all of my teachers either favor Potter or that…Mudblood!"

He wasn't sure what was the cause for the frown that was currently being worn by his aristocratic features.

The fact that his child was acting in a manner shameful to the Malfoy name.

The fact that his heir had been surpassed by a witch whose blood was tainted by filthy Muggles.

Or the fact that one responsible for temporarily halting Magical Britain's return to a more 'proper time' was proving to be a more troublesome than he originally predicted.

Leaving aside his constant attempts to ensure that Draco would be unable to father the next generation of Malfoys, Potter was a problem that had to be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later.

For even if he had displayed a tendency to look down on Mudbloods who naively thought they could change society without facing opposition, the fact remained that he could still be used as a political tool to further erode the rights and privileges of those who possessed proper ancestry.

Especially since he had the audacity to claim that the Dark Lord and his servants where little better than the Muggle followers of that Austrian born fool that had plunged the Muggle world into a second global conflict.

Which was utterly ridiculous because unlike his deranged sister in law, most members of his class were perfectly willing to allow the continued existence of both Muggles and Mudbloods. If only because they realized that every society could not properly function without a servile class.

Which in turn was why he was prepared to take a certain amount of risk in halting his country's slide into depravity by using an item that his master had entrusted him to keep safe until he asked for it.

In truth he would have preferred to use it for something grander than simply putting an end to Arthur Weasley's idiotic attempts to make his pathetic department more relevant.

But considering continued use of the diary would result in the death of its user, Lucius judged such efforts to be worth it.

Especially since he intended to paint the deaths that were sure to happen as the doings of a child who stood against everything her father believed in.

A pity that it had to happen to a pureblood girl. Especially one whose family blood traitor status didn't erase the fact that they had the potential for high fertility.

But sacrifices had to be made.

….

ANNNNNNND this is a good place to finish I think lol.

Could have been longer, but since I only intended for this to be a short interim chapter before I start the next episode/arc…I think it's sufficent lol.

Anyways…just to clarify, this is happening around 4 weeks into summer vacation (so figure July).

And to summarize…

Hermione's parents are concerned about the change in their daughter. But they also sadly recognize, thanks to some association with Wizards who understand the challenges Muggleborns face (i.e. Ted Tonks), that allowing their daughter to continue her study habits are the only things that can keep her safe. The idea that Muggles don't have authority over their magical children/Ministry overrides them, comes from not only the fact that they are given little attention in the books (apart from erasing their minds to protect them, them being nervous in the goblin bank, and hermione blowing them off to be with friends), but also fanfic stories such as Dodging Prison Stealing Witches where ministry officials tend to use magic to ensure 'friendly' compliance with Muggles with Magical children.

Percy's pov is….well tried to make it as realistic as possible since this is before his book 5 change…and before his book 7/last minute redemption. He loves his family, though he prefers the type of order that isn't really at the Burrow. Respects his brothers for finding careers that are important/get them out of the house. And for Arthur…respects his dedication, but has the usual child disappointment over his career path.

And as for Malfoy….well I don't think I need to go into too much detail here. Only thing being is perhaps that I am framing Lucy as more of a aristocratic/southern plantation owner racist rather than a nazi one. Both are evil, but different types.

Anyways…hope this will tide you over until next chapter.

Plz review, no flames.

Til next time.

ps...there is a new poll up in regards to whether or not I should put in MORE effort to finish other chapters of other stories, or stick with Helluva Wizard. Still wish to return to my other works, but need that extra EXTRA incentive lol. Poll is at top of my profile page, and allows for 2 selections.