This is my first story, so please bare with me. I chose something a little different from everything I have read and I hope you enjoy this story. Please know that this is unbeta'd and if you are interested in betaing for me send me a message and we'll talk.

Also, however much I wish, I do not own this world, I am just choosing to play in it.

The will of the Matriarch.

Hermione sat within the headmistress' office still reeling in shock. Her entire life has been a work of fiction, designed to protect yes, but one that was threatening to shatter her heart. She was not a Granger as she had been led to believe, she was in fact, the only child of Sirius and Marlene Black.

Said Sirius Black was angrily pacing behind her, having refused to take a seat to listen any longer. Hermione was in a state of shock, earlier this evening, the night before her nineteenth birthday, she had been summoned to the headmistress' office to find Sirius, Headmistress McGonagall and two disgruntled looking goblins from Gringotts awaiting her. They still had yet to forgive her, Harry and Ron for their part in their destruction of their bank.

They asked that all present take a seat for the reading of one Lady Walburga Aurora Black's last will and testament. A sense of dread filled the room and Hermione could not fathom for the life of her why she would need to be present for this reading. Asking this question had only earned her and Sirius both a quelling glare.

The Goblin, whom had introduced himself as Burnak then proceeded to reveal a crystal ball, similar to those Hermione remembered seeing in the hall of prophecies, yet instead of a blue light, a swirl of red and green lights moved within, and the air surrounding it seemed to pulse with life. Placing the crystal on the desk and Headmistress McGonagall whispered "Aparecium".

A spectre rose from the ball, revealing the late Walburga Black, whom Hermione had always thought was secretly the inspiration behind Morticia from the Addams family as they looked so similar. Long dark hair fell around high cheek bones and a long aristocratic nose, she had the bone structure most models would have killed for, but the frowning look of distaste on her features spoiled the affect.

"I, Lady Walburga Aurora Black, being of sound mind and magic do hereby pronounce my last will and testament to be read and enacted upon at the eve of my Grandchild's Nineteenth birthday." Her face softened at this, and a finely boned hand gently caressed a locket of rose gold and platinum that graced her neck.

"To my eldest son and only living heir Sirius Orion Black, I beg a mother's forgiveness for my interventions within your life. You have never indulged me in all your years but I beg that you indulge me now. Following your arrest for the crimes you did not commit, yes I know you are not a murderer, a disappointment and the bane of my existence you may be but a murderer you are not, some things a mother always knows. You have too kind a heart to ever have committed such crimes, and to have acted against James as they have claimed and joined the Dark Lord is pure nonsense, if you wanted that you would have taken the brand at sixteen."

Sirius retook his seat when the spectre sent him a quelling glare as though from the grave she could tell he had moved. She paused a moment before continuing. "As I was saying, following you're arrest the Ministry brought Hermione to my home for me to raise and take care of. She looked so like you as a babe, all dark curls and grey eyes, and she cried for you every night, and each tear broke my heart. Alas as much as I wanted to keep her I could not, I had raised her until her fifth year when the healers told me I did not have long left."

She lifted her arm to reveal the marks of dragon pox that was ravishing her flesh, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "I loved that girl with all my heart and it killed me to do what was best for her, what would keep her safe from those whom would use her as a pawn. I found a childless muggle couple and built new memories of them raising Hermione, bought them a Dental practice so that they would not struggle to raise the girl and set up a fund for Hermione's schooling at Hogwarts. That old coot Dumbledore was not willing, but he did as bid and arranged for Hermione's name to appear on the registers there as Granger and not Black.

"I then set fake memories for Hermione and locked away her memories of our world, these will be released at the stroke of midnight when Hermione turns nineteen. If this is being read to you both separately I am sorry my son, and I apologise for taking these memories from you as well. I could not risk you speaking in Azkaban to the wrong person and someone finding her. You may hate me if you wish, but I did what I could with what little time I had left. Not even Kreacher will remember the little girl he doted upon, he would not be able to resist visiting her if I did not remove them.

"I leave to you your full inheritance as Lord Black, which includes fourteen estates, thirteen vaults in Gringotts with the sum of One point four billion galleons and assorted pieces of jewellery and art. The seat on the Wizingamot is yours, as well the three black family businesses. I will be vastly amused should they try and keep you in Azkaban after they must hand over the seat that should set you free. Give them the hell you used to so enjoy unleashing upon me in your youth.

"You have given me more joy than you will ever know, even if you did so love to vex me. The twenty hours I spent bringing you into this world kicking and screaming were well worth the heartbreak you caused me. You grew to be a good man, not the one I had thought to raise you to be, but one I could still be proud of. I loved you and Regulus with all my heart, and though it seemed I favoured him more, this could not be further from the truth. He needed me in a way that you never did and I if anything loved you more, my stubborn and tenacious son, so like your father, and it breaks my heart that I will never see you again."

There was a quiet pause, and the room was heavy with unshed emotion, Hermione, not knowing what to do, reached out and squeezed Sirius' hand, smiling when he squeezed back just as hard. He did not look at her, but Hermione could see that he was lost in thought, these words a vast difference from the wailing portrait that hung in his childhood home.

"Hermione Jean Cassiopeia Black, my darling girl I am sorry that I had to leave you to the muggle world. I hope that the Grangers were as good to you as they could have been and that you wanted for nothing. I pray that you have not been treated unkindly in my absence and offer to you my library of spells should you wish to exact a little revenge. You are after all a Black, some things are expected of us.

"I only met your mother briefly, in fact I met her when she brought you to see me at two weeks old. She wanted you to know all of your family, even if your father was dubious about it. She was a fire cracker, not quelled by me or your father, and as I raised you for so short a time you showed that same spirit, and I think you'd best ask your father for tales of her, I still mourn that sweet girls passing. I hope you forgive me for what I have done, and that you get to know your father. I also hope, for Morgana's sake, that you at least, were sorted into Slytherin house, one Gryffindor on the family tree is more than enough."

Quiet laughter filled the room at that pronouncement, a shared look between father and daughter was quickly broken by awkwardness. "Hermione I leave to you your dowry, the contents of which will already be placed in your vaults this night. I also leave to you three estates to do with as you wish, and one house elf, named Lissy to serve you throughout your lifetime. She has been frozen in stasis and will appear to you in the morning. I ask that you indulge her, she was freed by her old masters and has become rather obsessed with clothes. You may find her difficult at first, but she means well.

"With your father in Azkaban it fell to me to ensure your future, and knowing your father he will not be happy with what I have to tell you. On your fourth birthday I arranged a marriage for you, which was sealed in blood. I chose Draco Malfoy, son and heir to Lord Malfoy to be your wedded husband. I chose him despite his father, for Narcissa was always a good woman, it is my hope he will inherit her grace and nobility. This arranged marriage having been sealed in blood, has become an unbreakable contract. Do not begrudge me for this little one and know I did this with your best interests at heart.

"You will be married on December 21st of this year, the winter solstice, the plans for this wedding are already in place. Draco is being informed of this arrangement as we speak, and if you are in a relationship with another, forgive me dear girl, but resisting will result in not just your death but his as well. Lord Malfoy was insistent and I would never allow you to marry someone unworthy of you.

"The Gringotts representatives will give you one last gift from me, my signet ring, so that whilst you may not remain a Black by name, you will always find a home within our family. At Midnight the spells will end, and your true form will shine, do not be afraid, fear is not the enemy but a cautious friend to guide you from harm. You my dear have been my soul joy these last few years, please know that I acted with love in my heart."

The will had finished speaking minutes ago and the goblins true to their word, gave Hermione her signet ring, the Black family crest imprinted into a platinum setting, small and dainty in her hands as she twirled it between her fingers. Sirius, her father, Merlin that would take some getting used to, was shouting in fury as he paced behind her, but Hermione was frozen in shock. She was a Black, she was getting married in three months, to Draco, whom just this morning she had seen kissing Daphne Greengrass.

Merlin help her, she wasn't dating Ron anymore but he would not take this well, or kindly. Hermione could feel her life spiralling out of her control. She couldn't get married she was still in school, after the war they had returned to complete the seventh year they had missed, and now she was expected to be a bride and to Malfoy of all people. With shaking hands Hermione looked up as the clock in the corner began to chime as the clock struck midnight.