Characters aren't mine and belong solely to JK Rowling...

The war was finally over. Harry Potter had finally defeated Voldemort, and Hermione was both relieved and exhausted. As she watched the survivors quietly celebrate in the Great Hall, her eyes roaming to take in her surroundings, she wondered if her life would ever be the same. She had scars, both physical and mental that she was sure would never really heal. She had made choices throughout the past seven years that, had her friends truly known the "real" Hermione, would have shocked them straight to their cores. As her eyes wandered over the wreckage, she had to admit to feeling a sense of unease that had nothing to do with her immediate surroundings. The war was finally over, but she couldn't help but feel that things were going to get more complicated for her from here on out.

She thought about Fred, Tonks and Lupin. From there her mind wandered to Sirius, Snape and Dumbledore. So much loss. Hermione didn't want to lose any more loved ones. Not literally or figuratively. But now in the ashes of battle she had to admit that it was a stark possibility. Would her friends turn from her when they learned the truth of her heritage. Would they understand the choices that brought her to this point were not entirely of her own choosing. As her gaze wandered to her arm where the word "mudblood" was carved into her flesh, she subconsciously rubbed the spot and frowned. Lost as she was in her thoughts she failed to notice the intense grey stare from across the Great Hall. The motions of Hermione were not lost on the observer. As he sat huddled with his parents, who probably felt as out of place as he did, he couldn't help but notice the emotions flittering across Granger's face. Sadness, confusion, loss, anxiety and fear. The first four he could understand but what did she have to fear anymore. She was the brightest witch of her age, the golden girl. As much as Draco was loathe to admit it, she and her sidekicks would be hailed as the heroes of the Wizarding world. He, along with his parents, would be lucky to escape Azkaban. As he silently continued to observe her, she looked his way and their eyes met. She quickly looked away, searching for Potter and the Weasel no doubt. Draco shuddered and berated himself for even acknowledging her, she was a muggleborn (He couldn't bring himself to think, let alone say the other word). He'd been traumatized witnessing her torture at the hands of his deranged aunt, and felt a tremendous amount of guilt as a result. He could now freely admit to himself, that she had been far braver, stronger and tougher than he'd ever given her credit for. She and her sidekicks had saved his life in the room of requirement. He didn't like these feelings inside of him, and he had to remind himself that she was not his concern.

Hermione drifted out of her reverie and called for Winky and Kreacher, who both 'popped' into the Great Hall to ask 'Missy Hermione' what she was needing. Hermione asked the elves to gather some water and tea along with some biscuits to hand out to the survivors. Both elves nodded in acquiescence and left to go to the kitchens to get the supplies. Hermione conjured up some blankets, and once the elves returned, started going around the room offering some creature comforts to anyone who needed it. She didn't know how much time had passed, but soon enough she had ventured to where the Malfoy family was sitting alone. As she approached she noticed Malfoy staring at her warily, his father had a look of complete disdain but his mother's expression was a bit more open.

"Excuse me Lord and Lady Malfoy, but I just wanted to see if you would like any refreshment?"

Draco sneered at the Gryffindor, but his mother shocked him when she smiled at the witch and thanked her for the offer. Granger then set a few cups of hot tea down on a platter with some biscuits and excused herself. Draco looked after her in shock, not sure what to think of the overture. "Miss Granger is showing remarkably good breeding." Commented his mother. Draco just looked at her aghast, his mouth dropping open in surprise at his mother's compliment. His mother gently closed his mouth using her finger under his chin and tilting his jaw closed. "Manners Draco." Narcissa admonished gently.

Draco lowered his head and replied, "Yes mother."

Draco looked over where Granger was standing by Professor McGonagall, who was saying something to her privately and Granger was shaking her head vehemently. No sooner had he wondered what was going on, there was a ruckus outside the Great Hall. Granger's head seemed to drop and she put her hand to her head shaking it in consternation. A large black man, dressed in robes came through the door, followed by several men in what looked to be some sort of combination of Wizarding and Muggle attire. The first man, who Draco finally recognized as Kingsley Shacklebolt, moved over to where Granger was standing with her back to him. One of the other men, who looked to be in charge followed after Kingsley.

At this point the room had gotten very quiet, most everyone watching the scene before them in obvious curiosity. Draco watched in fascination as Granger straightened her shoulders back regally and turned to face the small group that had formed. Potter and Weaselbee were standing off to the side with their wands gripped firmly at their sides, but Shacklebolt shook his head firmly in their direction to stand down. Granger looked at the second man in recognition as he moved a few paces closer and bowed formally. What the ever loving fuck was going on? Thought Draco. He looked to his father who seemed intrigued with the scene that was unfolding, and then the man spoke and Draco thought he must of been cursed because there was no bloody way, the man just said what Draco thought he just said.

"Your Royal Highness, I send word from your Grandmother. She is relieved that you are alive and formally requests that you leave with your escort immediately and return with us to the palace."

The room had gotten deathly quiet, and Hermione could feel the stares of everyone within the room upon her. She inwardly sighed at this sudden turn of events, as she had hoped she would have had a chance to tell her friends before all hell broke loose.

Before she could answer however, Ron chose that exact moment to lose his cool completely. "What the bloody hell is going on right now, 'Mione? Who are these people and what do they mean, 'Your Highness?" Ron moved to grab Hermione's arm but in a flash he was bound by magic as the guards who had entered with Kingsley, had all their wands trained on him.

Mrs. Weasley started to yell at the men and Kingsley to release her son, that he was a war hero and this was an outrage. Harry just stood there looking dumbfounded at his best friend, not knowing what to say or do. For a moment it looked like chaos was going to rein, but then Hermione spoke up in a commanding voice that no one had heard before from the witch. Bossy, yes. Swotty, definitely. But this was something else entirely. This was forceful, commanding, regal.

"Commander McKinnon, you will release Mr. Weasley immediately. You will cease and desist any acts of aggression without my express permission. Am I clear?"

The wizard bowed again and responded, "My apologies, Your Highness. He seemed to be a bit aggressive."

Hermione nodded at the man. "Auror Shacklebolt will take you and your men to the Headmaster's office, where I will join you shortly." The man looked like he wanted to protest, but Hermione glowered at him sternly and he bowed and left with his men, Shacklebolt leading the way.

Once the men had gone, everyone stared at Hermione, some with looks of curiosity, some disbelief and others in awe and wonder. Hermione turned to Harry and smiled tentatively, waiting for him to get over the obvious shock, which he did pretty quickly. He looked at his best friend, as if he was finally seeing her for the first time. Going back through his memories, Harry realized that he wasn't quite as shocked as he probably should have been. He smirked at his best friend, his sister. "So you really are a real life Gryffindor Princess, eh?"

Hermione laughed gaily and gave her friend a hug, whispering into his ear. "I have much to tell you. Talk to Kingsley, he can offer some of the information." Harry nodded and Hermione squeezed his hand in gratitude mouthing, "Love you Harry." He nodded and winked at his friend knowing that she would tell him when she could. McGonagall walked over and led Hermione from the Great Hall, and she could feel the intense stares of those remaining boring into her back. She was right, things just got a whole lot more complicated.

Once she reached the Headmaster's office, Minerva smiled at her reassuringly. "I'm sure everything will be alright Miss Granger."

Hermione grimaced sadly, "I'm afraid it won't be Miss Granger for much longer, Professor."

"Whether it's Miss Granger or Miss Kensington it hardly matters, my dear. You are the same young woman: fierce, brave and loyal. If any person should take exception to that, they are not worthy of your time, no matter whom they might be."

"You're talking about Ron aren't you?"

McGonagall looked at her favorite student, whom had blossomed from an awkward girl to a beautiful young woman. "Mr. Weasley is a fine young man, but perhaps not the best at controlling his emotions, an unfortunate trait he inherited from his mother. It will be unlikely that he will be as understanding or as forgiving as you might wish him to be. I encourage you to be true to yourself in the days and weeks to come, as many will question the veracity as to why you kept your identity a secret for so many years. Those who love and support you will understand that the choice may not been entirely of your own design and those who wish to find fault however, will do so."

Hermione nodded at the wise words from her Head of House. "I just wish I had been given a chance to explain things before I was ordered home."

"You, more than most understand that things rarely go the way of our choosing. You have always excelled at turning the impossible into the manageable, and I have every confidence you will succeed in doing so again."

Hermione smiled brightly at her former Professor. "Thank you for your support, Professor."

"It is my pleasure Miss Granger. Perhaps when school reopens you might find your way back here and finish your NEWT studies. Perhaps as it should have been intended, yes?"

"I would like that very much Professor, however that decision is not solely up to me, I'm afraid."

"Perhaps your grandmother might surprise you, my dear. I'd imagine she just wants what is best for you, as she always has done. You may not have understood it when you were younger, but her decision to hide your true identity was for the greater good."

Hermione's nose scrunched in dismay. "Ah yes, the 'greater good' as Dumbledore was so fond of saying. Frankly, I have little in the way of positive feelings in regards to Dumbledore's handling of Harry, and leading him to slaughter. I'm not sure how much Dumbledore shared with you, and I doubt Harry realizes how much I was able to figure out over this last year, but Harry and Professor Snape were both pawns in a much larger game that Dumbledore controlled and if he wasn't dead, I might be inclined to hex the man myself."

McGonagall looked at her student in surprise, obviously beginning to realize that there was much she didn't know about Dumbledore's machinations. "Well, whatever happens rest assured, you've done everything you can to assure a peaceful tomorrow for all your people, Your Highness."

Hermione giggled at the use of her formal title by her Professor. "That was something I was positive I'd never hear while I was within the walls of Hogwarts."

"Well it would appear there are many changes ahead for all of us, my dear." To that, Hermione couldn't bring herself to disagree.

As Hermione stepped through the floo, she was caught up in the splendor of her grandmother's study. She had almost forget what it was like to be home and could feel her eyes starting to water, and had to calm her breathing as to not embarrass herself. Hermione looked to the sitting couch and there upon it sat her grandmother and mother, with her father standing behind her mother, a hand firmly on her shoulder trying to calm her. Hermione's grandfather was standing behind her grandmother looking stoic as ever while her brother was sitting in a chair off to their mother's left. He looked like he wanted to jump up and hug Hermione, but stayed sitting watching intently. Kingsley, who had gone through the floo with Commander McKinnon, was off to the right near the main door keeping guard.

Hermione slowly approached her Grandmother and curtsied to her, then did the same to her Father and Mother. As she waited for someone to say something, she looked briefly at her Father, and he shook his head minutely telling Hermione to wait to be addressed. Hermione's gaze was brought back to her Grandmother as she assessed with her razor sharp gaze. Hermione's clothes were in tatters and there was a visible red scar on her neck. The Queen's hands briefly shook as she looked over the rest of her granddaughter's appearance. When she seemed to be satisfied, she stood and approached Hermione gesturing to Commander McKinnon to do the same. The man bowed and waited for the Queen's command.

"Georgiana, it is good to see you safe and physically well. We have missed you and have been concerned for your well-being. Minister Shacklebolt has assured me that the worst of the fighting is over and that man Riddle is dead?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at the mention of Kingsley's new status, but silently nodded her head in the affirmative. The Queen gazed at her granddaughter for a moment longer then brought her hands to both sides of Hermione's face and gently tipped her head down kissing her forehead. "You look worn and exhausted dear. I think your parents and brother can take you to Kensington to get cleaned and fed properly. After a good night's rest we can discuss what has happened over these past nine months and where we go from here, yes? But first, Commander McKinnon if you would be so kind to return my granddaughter to her natural state."

The Commander bowed and pointed his wand at the Princess and chanted the spell, "Heredis revelare." Quickly Hermione morphed back into her natural form. Gone was the bushy brown hair and in it's placed was long locks of wavy strawberry blonde that hung down to her mid-back, her complexion cleared giving her a peaches and cream look and her eyes changed to a brilliant sapphire blue. Her height had changed slightly giving her another couple of inches, making her legs look even longer while her figure gained subtle curves. She was a true English beauty, much like her mother.

Hermione smiled gratefully at the Commander, who bowed and was excused from the room by her grandmother.