A/N: I am so, so sorry for the long wait, but I'm losing track of this story line. I may have to put it on hiatus until for a while. TPF is my main priority right now. Oh, if you haven't already checked that fic out, you really should!

Classes were going great, and Enna could barely believe that nearly two months had passed. It was now Hallowe'en, and she sneered quite Slytherinly at the superfluous orange and black decorations in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had outdone himself — literally.

Enna liked Potions the best, although that might have been because she enjoyed watching her brother out of the corners of her eyes while she dumped the ingredients for potions she had known about for years into her cauldron, which she shared with Potter. Ugh, she had to stop calling him by his last name; he'd get suspicious, though they were, not exactly friends, but acquaintances. They were in the same House, after all.

Father, when can I speak Severus' name and help him regain his memories of me? Enna asked as she walked to Charms class.

When may you, Tom corrected. I do not know, but not for at least a year or two. Perhaps just before my rebirth. We cannot have Severus knowing too soon; it may mess things up. As Dumbledore is a powerful Legilimens, he could see in Severus' mind, though it is not likely.

Enna slipped into the classroom and took her seat at the front of class. She continued speaking with Tom while she dug through her full-to-overflowing book bag. Father, when will I take the Dark Mark?

She could feel her father's surprise at her question. You truly wish to, my daughter?

Yes. I wish to become the Dark Lady, daughter of the most powerful wizard semi-alive. Her father sent a feeling of deep laughter that filled Enna with warmth.

I have no qualms against it, Enna. In fact, nothing could please me more than having you rule at my side. Enna smiled at Tom mentally.

Thank you, Father. Now, I have a class to attend. I will speak to you later. Her father smiled indulgently, then broke the connection.

Enna stormed down the corridor, her head down and tears welling up in her eyes. How dare that freckled redhead git speak against her? Father, she said, not asking, just demanding that he answer.

Tom opened his mind and was immediately overwhelmed by the intense hatred, anger, humiliation, and sadness that was pouring from his daughter. Enna, what has happened, my daughter?

Enna took a sharp right turn and headed down to the dungeons. She wanted to be near her brother—as near as she could be without him knowing. Oh, just that carrothead, Weasley. He told Potter that it was no wonder I had no friends. That's not true, is it, Father? I have friends, right? Even if they were mostly friends with Vivienna Riddle?

Well, her father mused, you had some friends, although they were mostly your friends because of who I am. Draco Malfoy, for instance. You actually are, um, sort of...engaged.

WHAT?! Enna could feel Tom's annoyance at her loud tone, but she didn't care. How can I be engaged to that...that git?!

It was what was best for both you and the young Malfoy heir, replied Tom.

Enna shook her head at her father. I can't believe you, Tom. Her father winced. Enna only called him by his first name when she was either very serious, or very pissed off. Right now, she was both. How can you engage a baby to another baby? That's Victorian!

No, Enna. It was required.

Don't call me that. You have no right to call me Enna anymore. You can call me Hermione. That's my name, is it not?

She could feel Tom's sadness. I am sorry, Hermione. I did what I thought was best. It was for...

The Greater Good, Enna said bitterly. She ducked into the nearest room, which was a girls' bathroom. You sound like Dumbledore.

Tom just sent her a feeling of great regret, longing, and sadness. I would apologize, but it was necessary. I am sorry that you had to find out like this, however.

Enna didn't answer; she shut her mind, effectively blocking Tom out. She knew that he could break through her walls if need be, but she also knew that, after her outburst, he wouldn't dare. He was sometimes dumb, but he wasn't completely stupid. He wouldn't do anything that could jeopardize their relationship any further, such as a breach of her walls and privacy.

She opened the door to the girls' bathroom, slipped inside, and shut it after her. She walked over to the mirror and stared at herself. Vivienna Riddle, as Pureblood as they come. Hermione Granger, Muggle-born know-it-all bookworm.

How were they the same people?

She stayed in the bathroom for hours, curled up beside the sink, arms around her legs, clasping them ever tighter to her chest. Her face was between her knees, and her bushy brown hair covered any other openings.

How could her father do this to her? Draco Malfoy?! Out of everyone, it just had to be him...

Well, he could go stuff himself! She wouldn't marry Malfoy.

She wouldn't!

And Ronald Weasley... Oh, she was so going to get him back. She may not have friends yet as Hermione Granger, but she was going to make some!

And, of course, what better way to make two new friends than have them come to your rescue while you're being attacked by a mountain troll?

Enna strolled down the corridor with Harry and Ron. To her surprise, the redhead had executed a perfect Wingardium Leviosa with the troll's club, knocking it out. She couldn't have done better herself.

Well, okay...that probably wasn't quite true. She might have been able to show him up, but she didn't want to.

She had friends now, and one of them just so happened to be the person that she was supposed to get close to.

Life was good.

A/N: Please leave a review! I and my muse will feel so much better after being reassured that people still give a damn about this story. And the next chapter (if I decide to keep this story off hiatus) will be so much faster ;).

No, no, this is not blackmail...