A/N:  This first chapter I have listed is the beginning of my story and a challenge to others.  I take this story one way, but I would be very interested to see what other people did with it, so I invite you to take the first part of this story and take it wherever the muse desires.  The second chapter is where it went for me.  I hope you enjoy it.

A murmur spread amongst the guests as she entered the room.

She owned respect born of fear as the most powerful witch alive.  If not in her own right, then certainly by association.

The best friend of Harry Potter.

The foremost protégé of Severus Snape.

But the ultimate scandal attached to the name of Hermione Granger brought with it, also, her greatest power.

She was Draco Malfoy's mistress.