Harry and Hermione silently watched as Ron left the common room for Professor Snape's detention; a consequence of having missed breakfast and trying to get a quick bite while in potions. Once the portrait closed Hermione turned to Harry.

"Harry. I really need to talk to you." She whispered.

"What's going on?"

"Not here. Let's go to the room." Standing up, she grasped Harry's hand and pulled him up from the couch. Quickly the duo slipped from the room and made their way to the seventh floor. When they arrived, Hermione stopped Harry. "Let me." Back and forth she walked before the door opened. Inside was a cozy study area with a fireplace and a couch done in shades of silver, black, and white. He turned to watch Hermione shut the door and cast several wards, ensuring their privacy.

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Tea?" Harry nodded his head. "Dobby!"

With a small pop, Dobby appeared. "What can Dobby do for Mistress Hermy?"

"We'd like some tea and perhaps some sandwiches. Thank you Dobby." Bobbing his head, Dobby popped out of the room. A tray of tea, sandwiches, and pudding soon appeared on the small cocktail table in front of the fire. Pouring tea for both of them, she found a seat on the other end of the couch from Harry.

"What's this all about Hermione?"

"Harry you know I would do anything in the world for you right?" She watched as he nodded. "I have a lot of things to tell you, some of which are going to make you mad. Please remember that I love you and you are my best friend."

Harry began to worry. His mind raced with thoughts of what she could possible tell him.

"Have you ever sat and analyzed the last four years? Taken another look at what was going on Harry? I mean, how could 'the most powerful' wizard in all of Britian who supposingly knows everything that happens in Hogwarts not know that Quirrell was possessed? Or that Ginny had opened the Chamber? How did he not know Moody was really Crouch?" She watched as Harry grew pensive. She could literally see the cogs turning in his head.

"Honestly? I've always questioned how Dumbledore could be so oblivious but was really just glad to be alive. I assume that you've looked at every aspect of our prior years, correct?"

"I have and it's painfully obvious what was going on. What I'm about to tell you is going to shatter all your beliefs in Dumbledore, the Order, Voldermort, as well as those around you. Are you ready for this?"

Taking a deep breath Harry simple stared at Hermione. He could hear the sincerity in her words, see the truth in her eyes. "Yes."

Finishing her tea, she poured another glass before settling back. "The headmaster has been controlling every aspect of your life since before you were born. Even knowing that Sirius was innocent, he, the head of the Wizengamot, allowed him to be placed in Azkaban without a trial. Then, he placed you with the Dursley's under the false pretenses of blood wards and family. He knew from the very beginning about your abuse at their hands. Bloody hell, he even orchestrated it! Even your inheritance has been manipulated by him. He's been shaping and molding you into a compliant controllable weapon that only responds to his orders." She paused and waited for a response.

"W…what do you mean?" Harry's face was deathly pale. His fingers white as they clenched the arms of the chair.

"Have you ever wondered who performed the fidelus charm on your parent's house? It was Dumbledore, thus he knew Peter was the secret keeper. As Supreme Mugwump he could have intervened on Sirius's behalf and demanded a trial with Veritaserum. Why didn't he? Because then you would have grown up in a wizarding family knowing love."

"I never thought about any of that." Harry watched as a bottle of firewhiskey appeared on the table with two tumblers. Silently Hermione poured both a glass, handing Harry one. Taking a moderate sip, Harry felt the liquid burn. "What did you mean about the blood wards?"

"First after Voldie's resurrection last year, the blood wards would become null since he now has your blood. The wards can not distinguish between the two of you. Second, for the wards to actually work, you have to be related to Petunia. If my research is correct, then your mother was adopted by the Evans."

"What?" Harry started shaking. "How could he do that to me? An innocent child?" He felt comforting arms wrap around him and heard the soft words of love Hermione murmured in his ear. The pair sat of several minutes while Harry absorbed everything he had been told. "What else?"

Pulling back enough to see Harry's eyes, Hermione continued, "Your initial meeting with the Weasley's was also coordinated. Why would a pureblood family with seven children go through the muggle entrance at King's Crossing? There is a special floo just for such purposes. Knowing your desperate need for a family, Dumbledore arranged for one; conveniant that the Weasleys are known light supporters and firmy entrenched in Dumbledore's camp." Once again she stopped to let Harry reflect on her words. He nodded his head for her to continue.

"Dumbles along with Molly have also schemed to trap you. It was overheard after an Order meeting the pair discussing the use of love potions and loyalty charms on you. The love potions would make you fall for Ginny and the charms would guarantee your continued fight for the correct side: the 'light.'" At this, Harry began to lose it. At the appearance of a small hand held fan, Hermione used it to help cool him down while whispering comforting and soothing words to him.

Only after he calmed his breathing down did he move. Reaching forward he pulled Hermione into a bone crushing hug. "Why?" he murmured as he clung to her.

The pair sat for several minutes seeking comfort in each other's arms. Finally when he felt he could handle it, he pulled away. "I'm assuming there's more?"

"While I have other transgressions you should hear, I think I should move on to other things. More uplifting subjects." She looked at him questioningly. With eyebrows raised, he gestured for her to continue.

"Harry please remember I love you and would never do anything to hurt you or betray your trust." She took a deep breath before going on. "I am not muggleborn Harry. In fact, I'm not even considered human. My mother is a succubus and my father is a demon king. When my letter to Hogwarts arrived we, my family, made a decision to hide what we were due to what we suspected about the headmaster."

"So that makes you what? Half succubus, half demon?" Wide eyes stared back at Hermione. He thought about everything he knew about her. Then he remembered all the times she had been there for him. How she had always stood by his side and supported his decisions with only his best interests in mind. "What does that mean exactly?"

She could see his acceptance of her in his eyes. "Well would you like to see what I really look like?" He nodded his head. Standing in front of the couch, she ended the glamour. Harry's mouth fell open. Hermione had grown several more inches in height as well as slimming down. Gone was the baby fat and in its place was a curvaceous female body. Her bushy brown hair was now sleek black with silver highlights and fell in smooth straight ripples down her back. Eyes that were brown before were now a rich black and her skin flawless. With a quirk of an eyebrow, she waved her hand a second time. Suddenly all that he could see of her arms were covered in tattoos. Harry was speechless.

"Shocking isn't it?" She smirked. "Just wait until you see the rest of it. Are you ready to continue or do you need some more time?"

"I think I'm ready."

"After arriving at Hogwarts I quickly discovered my mate. To control the urge to bond with him, I take a suppressing potion. Only once I have reached my majority will my inner 'demons' fully appear. During these last five years, I've really come to know my mate well."

The thought of Hermione being with somebody else caused a dull ache in Harry's chest. Quietly he asked, "Who is it?"

She poured another glass of the whiskey and downed it. "You." She watched his eyes snap wide open. His mouth opening and closing like a fish. Patiently she waited.

After several minutes of staring at his best friend and absorbing her last statement, Harry sprung into action. Jumping from the chair, he pulled her into a bear hug. "Why haven't you said anything before?" He murmured.

A small squished voice answered. "I wasn't sure of your feelings toward me other than those of friends."

Harry just held her tighter. Finally he released her. "I'm sure that's not the only good news you have for me." Guiding her to the couch he sat beside her.

Looking up into his green eyes, Hermione continued. "I know that so far it seems like everyone that was with you is now against you or manipulating you but this is far from true. You have several unknown hidden allies in Hogwarts as well as through out the wizarding world. Some of these allies will become known to you as time progresses. Others you'll never know. Of those here, I can only give you the name of one tonight. Severus Snape."

Holding up a hand, she went on. "Before you say anything, please remember his situation. He is a double spy and everything he says and does is closely watched. Everything you think you know about him is false. Together, we have started to uncover all of Dumbledore's and the Weasley's treacherous acts against you."

"But he hates me! Am I suppose to just put everything he's ever said to me aside and continue on like nothing has ever happened?"

"No Harry. But take a look at the last year. His insults have become tamer. There have fewer detentions for you. He no longer hates you but he must continue to put on the act for both Dumble's and Voldie's sake."

Harry was blown away by her revelations. "I'm not sure how much more I can take Hermione."

"Call me Mia. Hermione is a mouthful. How about we call it a night?" He quickly agreed. "Harry, one last thing. Actually it is more of a request. Seeing how tomorrow is Saturday, I think it would be the perfect time to go to Gringotts. Will you go with me?"

"What's at Gringotts and how are we supposed to get there?"

"I have it all arranged. As for what's there, I believe a lot of your questions will be answered. Plus if our, Sev's and mine, suspicions are correct, then you'll need to take a look at your vaults."

"Okay. When should we leave?"

"Hmm… I think I have a safe way to get us safely away from here with no worry about getting caught but you'll have to trust me. Now several things before we leave. First make sure to act like before. Seeing how tomorrow is Saturday, you should be able to keep away from Dumbledore easily. I think the best thing to do would be to go to Hogsmeade and try to relax. I believe we could benefit from some retail therapy. Finally, only about ten minutes have passed since I warded the room, therefore, we shouldn't have any problems as its still before curfew. Any concerns before we leave?"

"No not right now but I know I'll have a few galleons worth once it all sinks in. Let's just head back and relax. Thank you Mia. I don't know what I'd do without you by my side." Reaching out, Harry snagged her arm and pulled her into hug. For several minutes the pair reveled in the feel of being in each others arms before pulling apart with shy smiles. With a couple of wand flicks, Hermione was once again the bushy haired know it all bookworm and they were out the door.

The two spent the rest of the evening in the common room finishing up assignments and relaxing while they waited for Ron to return from the dungeons. After he arrived only seconds from curfew, Hermione excused herself claiming exhaustion.

Upstairs in the girls dorms, Lavendar, Parvati, and Padma were gathered on Lavendar's bed huddled around what appeared to be Witch Weekly.

"Hey girls. What do you have? Anything interesting?"

The girls looked at Hermione blankly. "Yea. Would you care to join us?"

"Sure! Oh hey I've got some muggle magazines that might interest you guys as well. Want me to get them?"

By now the trio was completely baffled. What had happened to the tomboyish bookworm that didn't have time for girl time? "I guess so. They aren't research journals or anything scholarly are they?" asked Lavendar.

Hermione just giggled, "No. I know my head is normally in a book and I haven't had time to spend with you but I definitely think that change is in the air. Be on the look out girls. Now wait just a sec." She ventured over to her bedside table where she stashed her "goods." Pulling out several Cosmopolitans as well as a few fashion magazines, she hesitated. Looking back at the girls waiting on the bed, she speculated. "Everything that goes on tonight stays between us correct?"

Lavendar and Padma quickly agreed while inwardly pondering what was going on. Parvati seemed to be in shock and it was only after getting an elbow to the ribs did she acquiesce as well.

With a devilish smile that scared the others, Hermione reached back into her cabinet and pulled out a few more magazines. "Okay girls. Now I have a few called Cosmo which are a general woman's magazine. It covers everything from make up to dieting to pleasing your man." At this all three pairs of eyebrows rose followed by small grins. "I also have several different fashion magazines." Slowly the grins began to grow. "And if you three are really interested, I have several issues of a muggle magazine called Playgirl as well as PlayWitch." Hermione broke out into a huge smile which was reflected back by the other three.

"Oooh! Definitely the naughty ones!" Lavendar squealed! Grabbing her latest editions, Hermione swiftly joined the others. For several hours, the girls poured over the mags giggling like the school girls they were. Finally they declared it a night but quickly made plans to have weekly "girl time."

Ready for bed, Hermione tumbled onto hers casting a silencing ward as she snuggled into the covers. Visions of black and emerald eyes filled her dreams as she was swept away into the dream world.