Don't kill me but, I decided to insert one more chapter before the kids go to Hogwarts. Anyway, enjoy this chapter my lovely readers! And of course hit that review button at the bottom of the screen! It means the most to me! All belongs to J.K. Rowling; I own nothing apart from the plot and some OC characters. ENJOY! XD

Hermione Jean Granger was sitting at her ornate desk donned with mountains of books, stationery and photo frames of her family. Dazzling sunlight was peeking out from the snowy white curtain, lighting up Hermione's features. Hermione had been a small baby according to parents, and now at nine years old, she was still considered quite small compared to other girls her age. Her brown tresses hang carelessly around her heart- shaped face, upon which bestows a pair of warm and intelligent eyes. She had an uncanny love for books; at 5 years of age, she could read all the boring dental books her parents kept in their surprisingly clean attic. Jane and Marcus Granger had just walked through the ivory laden doors when they found their daughter in the drawing room with a heavy and dusty old dentistry book from when they were still at university. When asked what she was doing, Hermione eagerly replied she was trying to remember the book, and to prove herself, she turned the book around so it faced Jane and Marcus and recited word for word everything on that page. To say they were gobsmacked would be the understatement of the century, and possibly the last.

Though she was very talented, Hermione never really had many friends. On her 3rd birthday, Hermione had invited all the children from her kindergarten as well as the children of her parents' colleagues. When it came to playing party games, Hermione would enthusiastically show the other children whenever they did something wrong, how it was done. Though she had good intentions, the other children thought she was vey bossy and liked to get her own way, way too much.

Kind-hearted and fiercely loyal, Hermione had only one real friend, Luna Lovegood whom she met at her favourite store, which was unsurprisingly the bookshop. Even a blind person could see Luna was an outcast who adopted her father's views on all things weird and wonderful including 'wrackspurts' which Hermione, despite her intellect, still had not deciphered what they were. A natural beauty with milky skin, dirty blonde hair and icy blue eyes, Luna became friends with Hermione when she was being verbally and physically bullied by a gang of boys their age that lived a few blocks away from Hermione in the pristine neighbourhood. Hermione could not look past the injustice, and being the carefree, reckless and bold child, she stood up to the boys who were all at least 3 to 4 years older than her and many heads taller as well, regardless of possible consequences. One of the boys attempted to yank Luna up by the front of her floral blouse, but with lightning fast reflexes, Hermione was at her side sizing up the boy whom she learned was called Leon. He released Luna and went for Hermione instead; however, as his hand came in contact with Hermione when he tried to grab her, he recoiled like a snake and yelped in pain clutching his hand which was now covered in angry, red boils. Surprise was not enough to describe the situation; it was more like horror and bewilderment.

No one was friends with Hermione partly because she was bossy and had a very weird best friend, but mostly it was because of fear. Word of Leon's ordeal got out, some called her a spaz, others thought she was obnoxious, but no one dared to physically cross paths with her, except of course Luna who until this day is still her most loyal and trusting friend. Being the only child and lacking friends, Hermione took solace in reading her gigantic collection of books which she started collecting after her 3rd birthday. She has read every single book written by Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen ... and the list just goes on. Whenever she was happy, she read, whenever she was bored she read, when she was sad or angry, she read. All in all, Hermione Granger LOVED reading!

Today is the 1st of September 1989. Every year at this time, her parents will fly to France for their annual meeting with all the other acclaimed dentists around the globe. Hermione would thus be left with their housekeeper, Cassiopeia, a woman close to Jane and Marcus's age, whose grandmother shared the same name. Walking along the sunlit pathways looking at the immaculate houses and gardens was one her Hermione's favourite pastimes. As a child, she would spend the weekend afternoons with a book and either Luna or Cassiopeia, seeing as her parents are always too busy, in the adjacent park which is filled with fountains to wish upon, rolling fields of perfectly maintained lawn and arrays of flora of every kind imaginable.

About 5 blocks away stood the main street. Hermione loved to take a stroll there and always refused when the family's chauffeur offered to take her in their Rolls-Royce limousine, claiming the streets are perfectly safe in this daylight. Well that is what Hermione seems to know. What she refuses to acknowledge is that every time she said that, an image would flash in her head presenting to her a figure with slate grey eyes and platinum blonde hair. As she was turning into the main street, a shiny black town car pulled up alongside her. Initially not afraid, Hermione kept walking allowing the wind to blow back her frizzy mane. However the car followed and as she turned her head to face it, a heavily tinted window rolled down and Hermione felt a pang to her stomach as she took it the identity of the man behind the glass. She felt like she had definitely met this man before somewhere but couldn't place where and who this man was. He looked older than her parents with long blonde hair, cool grey eyes and a slowly receding hairline.

'Where are you going sweetheart?' The mysterious man asked nicely, all the while following her in his car, driven by a man she couldn't see.

When she heard his voice, she remembered. This man was the figure she would occasionally see through random flashes in her mind. She didn't know why, but she doesn't like the man. Aside from the fact he was practically stalking her, if she saw him in a more respectable situation, she still wouldn't pin him as a nice person. There was certain ... something surrounding him, something dark ... and the way he was looking at her made her shudder involuntarily. It almost seemed like he knew every inch of her, from her darkest fears to her innermost secrets. But at the same time, she felt an overwhelming desire to trust this unknown man.

'It's none of your business.' Hermione defiantly answered, breaking out of her reverie.

'A lovely little girl like you walking in the streets all by yourself? I'll need to talk to your parents.'

Panic started to settle in as she took in the man's smirk which was plastered on his flawless skin. No one but Luna knew about her little visits, not even Cassiopeia.

'Hop in my car, I'll take you to the bookshop.'

Hermione was more than frightened. How did he know she was going to the book shop?

'I - I'd be fine thank you.'

'Little girls like you shouldn't be out, even in this time of the day. I wouldn't even let my son out. He's about your age I presume. You must be around 10?'

'Nine' Hermione corrected automatically

'Don't worry I'm not a bad man, I'll only take you around the corner. It saves you the trouble of walking in the hot sun.'

'I – alright.' Being smart doesn't necessarily mean you're not naive, and Hermione was just lucking this man was just looking out for her.

Hermione hopped into the back seat and was engulfed in a peculiar smell. She always had a very strong sense of smell, each person smelt like something different to her. Though this scent was mild, she could tell it was earthly, like the fresh smell after a spring rain. There was also a hint of honey in the air as well as sea breeze.

'What is your name little girl?'

'I'm H- I'm 'mione.' Correcting herself at the last second.

'That's a nice name 'mione, and do you like reading?'

'Of course I do! Reading is what I love most; I could read for a whole day if I wanted to. One time I read until 3 in the morning and Cassiopeia came in and – Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't be telling you all this.' A faint blush crept up on her cheeks. The stayed silent for a while, Hermione not knowing what to say.

'I know your parents. Jane and Marcus are very lovely people, you are very lucky to have them as your parents.'

'How did you know them?'

'Perhaps you may not know, your parents invested in some of my businesses and, like me, have many shares in heaps of companies and industries.' The man said looking at her from the mirror. 'Pardon me; I don't suppose you know what they are?'

Mistaking Hermione's lack of response as 'no,' he continued explaining. 'Stocks are –'

'According to the Princeton Dictionary, Stocks are the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest.' Hermione cut in and quoted perfectly word for word.

Silence was certainly golden as Hermione marvelled at the man's gobsmacked expression which morphed in to a look which was a mixture of confusion and pride? Perhaps?

Lucius Malfoy had always known Hermione Zabini was beyond talented from the moment he proudly held her; his new god-daughter. But this was nothing like what he expected, Hermione undoubtedly have an off-the-charts IQ.

'Well, looks like you certainly have inherited your parents' brains.' Meaning both adoptive and blood...

Hermione remained silent as she watched two mothers pushing their young toddlers in strollers. She bitterly realised she could count using her fingers the number of times she had been in a similar stroller which was pushed by her mother.

The car rolled to a stop outside a few fancy looking shops which had Hermione's immediate interest.

'Sorry kiddo, can't stop near the bookstore so we'll have to stop here. I'll walk you over.'

'Oh no sir, there is no need, I can manage perfectly by myself.'

'your parents will be very cross at me if they knew I let you go off by yourself.' He gave his trademark Malfoy smirk.

At the mention of her parents, Hermione relented knowing full well that her parents will indeed be very angry at her if they ever found out.

Hermione walked alongside the blonde man looking at the colourful shop windows displaying arrays of products. However, as she rounded the corner, for the first time in her life, something other than a book caught her eye. The most magnificent golden tiara with the most elegant and intricate design, encrusted with diamonds and gems of all sorts was on display under a dazzling light. Hermione couldn't help but marvel at it. Lucius caught her staring at it and decided it was about time he splurged on his god daughter. All he ever got her were little things like toys and diaries to leave subtle hint... After a little persuasion from Lucius, Hermione gave in with little resistance, following him into the shop.

Moments later, they reappeared on the street with Hermione wearing an expression of pure bliss and Lucius 500,000 pounds poorer, though that amount was nothing to him, especially when it regarded Hermione. Lucius clearly remembered the times he had bought lavish gifts for Draco, his first broom... though Narcissa was strongly against him buying it for Draco, it was something about safety, but then again he can't really remember that far. Both Draco and Hermione had such similar tastes; both loved high-end luxury items even at such a tender age. Well you can hardly blame them seeing as they both came from very wealthy families, in fact two of the wealthiest families in England. Lucius sincerely hoped Hermione wasn't a spoilt brat like that Pansy Parkinson. Draco, Blaise and Lucy certainly aren't, even if they act like it, especially Draco.

They got to the book shop as Lucius secretly mused the reaction of his dear cousin Cassi's face when she realised he was once again keeping contact with Hermione. Not that he didn't know the dangers; it was just too tempting to go see if his god daughter was ok, even if it was just a little peek. In fact most of time, it was just a little secret peek, just like he had done with his own daughter.

As if on cue, Cassiopeia appeared on the other side of the street laden with shopping bags and caught Hermione's eye, giving her a very disapproving glare, making Hermione halt. She made her way over to where Hermione stood rooted to the spot, eyeing Lucius suspiciously, not recognising him just yet.

'Young mistress, how many times have I warned you against coming out to the streets alone, and what is this? Talking to strangers? Do you even know how dangerous it –'

Cassiopeia stopped mid sentence as glanced contemptuously at the blonde man. It would have been hilarious seeing her rapid change of expression had the situation not been so morbid. Cassiopeia's beautiful complexion, which was now even paler than usual, switched from pure disgust to pure shock, even the man showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but it was gone within an instant, replaced with that irritating smirk.

'Miss Hermione we are going home NOW!' Talking a death grip on Hermione's skinny forearm.

'Now, now Cassi, you don't want to pull the poor girl's arm out of her socket, do you?'

'Lucius, I would leave right now if I were you, what do you think you are doing showing up here. Have you forgotten the deal?' Cassi whispered furiously leaning forward towards Lucius

Hermione watched this curious exchange with large inquisitive eyes, no x-ray was needed to see the wheels turning inside her head. She had never seen Cassi so angry her whole life, Cassi only called her 'young mistress' or 'Miss Hermione' when she was cross with her, but never like this. Cassi, who was still whispering to the man whom she barely heard was called Lucius, was always the sweet natured lady who was like a second mother to her. Why did she know this creepy man? Could she possibly be hiding something?

'Miss Hermione, you go ahead into the bookshop for now, while i talk to this delightful man.' Sarcasm was dripping from her words.

Hermione went in without a word, frightened of Cassi's reaction, as Lucius and Cassi had a mini staring contest.

Quick as lightning, both their wands were drawn. Cassi's was pointed at Lucius's throat, while his was directed at his god daughter. Cassi's eyes could only widen as he uttered obliviate as a white haze surrounded the unsuspecting Hermione.

'Did you think I would risk her life? She is like my second daughter; all I want is to see that she's ok. At least i care about her wellbeing' Lucius sneered with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

'Then you should know, she is very suitably cared for. I've watched her grow up and even if Jane and Marcus can't give her the love she deserves, I can. I was willing to serve muggles, just to save her. So don't you dare test my loyalty.'

'That may be. But I swear on my life and my family's that if I hear if anything happens to her while she is in your care, consider yourself dead.'

With a swish of his robes, he strode out of the shop leaving behind a few confused shoppers and a fuming Cassi.

So what did you think? This chapter is longer than usual because I want to get going with Hogwarts next chapter. I just watched HP7 part 1 and lets just say it was absolutely amazing! And it gave quite a bit of inspiration! Until next time my lovely readers! Don't forget the review button! VFANG XOXO