Chapter 3

Hermione stared up at the ceiling, she knew she had to get up soon or she'd risk being late to have her talk with Harry and Ron. She wanted to believe that they would take the news well, but a small part of her had doubts. Malfoys words on the train haunted her all night, keeping her awake until well past midnight. What will your friends think? Or Scar head? …death eater blood runs in your veins. Sighing, Hermione reluctantly got up and collecting her bath things, she headed to the bathroom. She almost dropped her stuff when she opened the door to a topless Draco. Muscled bare chest glistening from a shower and a towel wrapped low around his hips.

Draco finished running his softening potion through his hair before turning towards Hermione. Her eyes roamed over his body and Draco couldn't stop himself from smirking at her wide eyed innocent look. He purposely gripped his towel where the knot was, pulling it a little lower so the v leading towards his cock was more visible. The movement snapped Hermione out of her ogling. Draco watched in amusement as her face turned a lovely shade of pink. He could see the color reaching the top of her lovely breasts popping up from her tank top.

"I can take my towel off if you're curious Walker," Draco said in a husky voice.

Hermione spluttered looking anywhere but at him. She looked about ready to flee back into her room.

Draco chuckled, "I'm all done here love,"

Hermione watched Malfoy turn and leave through his door her heart hammering in her chest. Pointing her wand to his door she made sure it was locked before leaning against the wall. In all the years she'd been in Hogwarts she'd never really looked at Draco Malfoy before. Looked, looked. Sure she vaguely heard girls in her year and younger talking about his looks but she'd always ignored them. Malfoy was foul and evil, who cared what he looked like. Now she couldn't deny the boy, well, man was handsome. He grew from the pointy faced runt he was in first year to a gorgeous aristocratic man with a body to die for. It didn't help that he was smiling and being dare she say, nice to her. It was strange to not see the usual sneering face when he looked at her.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts Hermione rushed to shower. There were more important things at the moment than what Malfoy looked like. She quickly got her uniform on and ran out of the portrait hole knowing she didn't have much time with how impatient the boys were. Hermione was out of breath when she reached the Gryffindor common room but she was happy to see that Ron and Harry where still waiting for her.

"There you are! We've been waiting ages!" Ron said impatiently,

"I'm sorry," Hermione answered, "I-I've got something important I want to tell you guys…I think you should both sit down,"

Harry and Ron looked at each other before taking a seat, Hermione was happy now that she had taken so long getting out of bed because the common room was empty. Hermione bit her lip wondering where to start.

"Okay, so, do you guys? Have you heard of-?" Hermione blew out a breath,

"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked,

Hermione took a deep breath and mustered up her courage, "After Professor Dumbledore died he left me a letter. I-I don't know if you've ever heard of M-Melinda and Fox Walker?"

Harry shook his head but Ron looked puzzled,

"They sound familiar," Ron answered his face scrunched up in thought,

"Well, they were…they were death eaters," Hermione said tentatively.

Ron's face lit with recognition, "Now I remember! Mum and Dad where chatting about them during the summer fifth year. Apparently they were the worst death eaters to ever exist, on the same level as Voldemort. I know they're dead, not sure how they died during the first war. Mum said evil like that never dies though,"

Hermione cleared her throat, "Yeah, um, I-I know how they died,"

"Who cares how they died," Harry said shaking his head, "Important thing is that they are. Can you imagine if they were alive now? Things would be ten times worse for all of us,"

Hermione bit her lip looking away from Harry's angry face. He was right, her mother and father were evil. They did awful things, she didn't get to know them but she was sure they would've made equally as evil parents.

"What about them Hermione?" Harry said breaking her out of her thoughts,

Hermione blinked back tears, she didn't want to tell them but she knew she didn't have much of a choice. Professor McGonagall had already changed her name and information to the Walkers. Every professor was aware of the change and there was nothing she could do about them calling her by her given name. Harry and Ron would find out sooner rather than later and she'd rather they hear it from her than anyone else.

"Hermione?" Ron called,

Hermione took another deep breath in and out, "They're my parents," Hermione blurted,

Harry and Ron looked confused, "What?" Ron asked,

"Melinda? And Fox Walker? They um, they were my parents. They died, the same night Harry's parent's died. Dumbledore…he said they were with Voldemort that night and they uh, they were the ones that did it. They killed your parent's, while Voldemort went after you, and the explosion after the curse rebounded on you killed them. Dumbledore took us both that night and sent us to live with muggles. He said it was easier for the both of us. Not growing up in the limelight I guess." Hermione finished as tears ran down her cheeks,

Harry and Ron stared at her at a loss for words it seemed. They watched her cry silent tears for what seemed like hours before Harry finally spoke.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger…aren't your parents. You're not a muggleborn, you're a pureblood with-with death eater parents. And your parents…killed mine,"

"I'm sorry," Hermione cried, "I'm so sorry Harry,"

Harry shook his head as if to clear it, "It's…It's okay Hermione, there's-there's nothing you could've done. Its…its not your fault."

"Oh, Harry, I was so worried," Hermione cried and threw herself in Harry's arms,

Hermione didn't feel his hesitation as he loosely wrapped his arms around her or the look he shared with Ron as she cried on his shoulder.

Harry pushed Hermione away as best he could after a few minutes. Hermione wiped her tears with the back of her hands and smiled slightly at them.

"Now what?" Ron asked after clearing his throat,

Hermione shrugged slightly, "Well, Professor McGonagall had everything transferred and changed to my new last name. Purebloods are required to be registered in wizard society so I didn't have much of a choice. Plus with my parent's…well my other parent's deaths in that car accident last year, I didn't have anyone that had to sign over anything."

"So you're saying, you're Hermione W-Walker now," Harry stated looking like he was going to puke.

Hermione nodded hesitantly, "…Yeah"

Ron opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the common room door swinging open. Students started filing in chatting loudly,

"Hey Hermione!" Ginny greeted as she walked in with Dean. "You guys missed breakfast,"

"Hey Ginny, we must've lost track of time," Hermione answered smiling at the red head,

"We've got Care of Magical Creatures now," Harry said getting up with Ron, "We'll see you later Hermione," Harry said not sparing her a glance before they both headed towards the portrait hole.

Hermione watched them leave her smile fading a bit as Ron whispered something to Harry making him shake his head.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked,

Hermione nodded though a frown marred her pretty face, "I've got Advanced potions, I'll see you later,"

Ginny watched the head girl leave through the portrait hole, with a shrug she turned to Dean continuing their conversation.

HDLHDLHDLHDLHDLHDLHDL

Draco walked into potions spotting Hermione right away. She was sitting on her own in the back of the classroom. It was strange to see her sitting there considering she favored the front row in every class Draco had ever had with her. Hermione seemed lost in thought as she didn't even notice or acknowledge the fact that he had taken the seat next to her.

"Knut for your thoughts Walker?" Draco said startling Hermione,

Hermione jerked her head in his direction, "What?"

"You seem to be lost in that big brain of yours. Just wanted to make sure you were okay," Draco answered.

"What do you care if I'm okay Malfoy," Hermione said glaring at the blond,

Draco shrugged, "Just don't want you upset Love,"

"Stop calling me that!" Hermione hissed angrily, her face turning pink.

Draco watched the head girl blush at his endearment making him smirk. He leaned in closer to her, "Why should I Walker? You blush so pretty for me when I do,"

Hermione was at a loss for words, she tried to move away from him but he was having none of that. He turned his body and put his legs on the base of her stool so she was trapped between them.

"Is it Scar head and Weasel? Did they say something to upset you?" Draco asked letting his distaste for the duo show,

"Of course not Malfoy," Hermione said glancing down, "They even took the news about my name well. You were wrong about them,"

Draco chuckled, "We'll see about that Love,"

Hermione opened her mouth to say something when Professor Slughorn walked into the classroom.

"Welcome back students! I'm happy to see you have received enough O.W.L's to be here! So to make it easier you will be partnered with whomever you're sitting next to for the remainder of the year," Professor Slughorn said smiling,

Hermione quickly raised her hand, "Professor I think-"

"Oh! Ms. Walker! I'm so happy you have made my class!" Professor Slughorn began, he didn't notice the whispers his words caused, "I taught your parents back in the day, exceptional students. You look just like your mother, though you have your father's unruly hair I must say" the Professor chuckled.

Hermione was left speechless at his words, she had never thought of her parent's as actual people before. Since she'd found out about them she'd always thought about them as death eaters. Nothing more.

"Well! Let's get started!" Professor Slughorn said before pointing his wand to the board behind him. Instructions appeared along with ingredients.

Draco could see Hermione was once again deep in thought, he wasn't too fond of Professor Slughorn. He was a horrible ass kisser but he did do him a favor with his comment about Hermione's parents. Draco could see the frown on her face as she thought about them. He didn't bother to say anything as he got up to get the ingredients for their potion. He hoped his father was able to get what he needed today. It would just cement Hermione's parent's in her mind even more.

HLDHLDHLDHLDHLDHLD

Hermione walked into the Great Hall for lunch with her head down. All through out potion's class students kept staring at her. It didn't help that Professor Slughorn would randomly make comments about her parents for everyone to hear. The Slytherin's were especially curious about her because it was obvious with Professor Slughorn's comments that she was clearly not Muggleborn like they thought. A few Slytherin, mainly Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott looked at her with some recognition. They clearly knew who her parents were.

Hermione heard the whispers increase as she walked towards the Gryffindor table. The rumors must've spread quickly as they usually do in Hogwarts. She noticed her usual spot across from Harry and Ron was occupied by Ginny and Dean. Trying not to think anything of it she sat next Dean who gave her a somewhat forced smile.

"Hello," Hermione said glancing at her friends, "How was your morning?"

"S'alright," Ron answered his eyes never leaving his plate,

Hermione looked over at Harry who was also staring intently at his plate. Clearing her throat she spoke again, "Was Hagrid happy to see-"

"So you're really pureblood?" Ginny interrupted,

Hermione's eyes darted to Ginny, everyone around them seemed to quiet down at the red head's question.

"Y-yeah um, my birth parents were-" Hermione started only to be interrupted by Ginny again,

"Death eaters?" Ginny said with a bit of disgust.

People around them gasped at her words, the whispering starting again.

Hermione's heart started beating out of her chest, she looked over at Ron and Harry who still didn't look up from their plates though Ron's red ears and face showed her he was listening.

"Y-you told her?" Hermione said to them ignoring Ginny,

Harry finally looked up at her his face showing only a small bit of remorse, "We didn't tell her. She overheard us in class, I couldn't lie to her,"

Hermione shook her head trying not to feel betrayed, "You could've told her to ask me herself, you could've said it was not your information to tell,"

"People would've found out eventually Hermione," Ron answered,

Hermione shook her head holding back tears before getting up and running out of the Great Hall.

Draco watched Hermione as she ran out the door. Everything was falling into place wonderfully, Scar head and Weasel were reacting to the news of her heritage exactly like he knew they would. Patting his robe pocket to make sure the vial his father had sent him was still there, Draco knew it wouldn't be long before Hermione was on their side.

"So it's true? Potter's mudblood isn't a mudblood after all?" Theodore asked sitting next to Draco,

Draco nodded, "Oh it's true. Pureblood runs through her veins, she's a Walker,"

Theodore's eyebrow rose, "My father spoke of the Walkers, they were the Dark Lords most trusted death eaters. Almost like family I heard."

Draco finished the last bite of his lunch not answering his friend.

"I'm assuming you've got something up your sleeve," Theodore said,

Draco met Theodore's blue eyes, "What makes you think that?"

Theodore raised an eyebrow, "I've known you since we were in diapers Drake,"

Draco smirked, "I've got a lot of things up my sleeve,"

Theodore chuckled, "Are you going to let me in on it?"

Draco nodded and got up, "I'll come down to the common room later and fill you in,"

Theo watched his best friend walk out the Great Hall knowing he was heading after Grang-Walker. He couldn't wait to hear what Draco's plans were.

HDLHDLHDLHDLHDL

Draco walked into the Head's common room his eyes immediately going to Hermione who was sitting on the couch with her head in her hands. She glanced up at him her eyes red and her cheeks wet from tears.

Draco felt his heart beat a bit faster, she really was beautiful. He had never really looked at her before, her blood being the first thing on his mind and the fact that she was best friends with the idiot duo.

"Alright love?" Draco asked taking a seat next to Hermione,

Hermione shook her head, "Just leave me alone Malfoy," she whispered,

"I don't like that you're upset," Draco answered,

Hermione gave a self-deprecating chuckle, "You've never cared if I was upset before Malfoy, as a matter of fact the majority of the time you were the cause,"

Draco reached over and wiped the tears off her cheek with his thumb, "Things are different now," he murmured.

Hermione tried not to shiver at the soft caress and forced herself to move her face so he wasn't touching her anymore.

Draco pulled the vial his father sent out of his pocket, "I've got something for you,"

Hermione glanced down at his hand and frowned, "What Is it?"

"It's a memory…of you with your parents," Draco answered.

Hermione's eyes flew to his, "What? Where did you get that?"

Draco smiled, "My father was very close to your parents. He's got plenty of memories to share.
I've got a pensieve in my room if you're interested in seeing it,"

Hermione looked from the vial to Malfoy's face. His small smile made him even more handsome and he seemed genuine about the vial.

"How can I trust that it's a real memory? What if you've tampered with it?" Hermione asked,

"You can tell when a memory has a been tampered with love, its pretty obvious," Draco answered,

Hermione bit her lip, she couldn't help but be curious about the memory. "Okay, yes I'd like to see it,"

Draco smiled again, "Come on,"

Draco got up holding his hand out to Hermione. Hermione looked at his offered hand then up to his face. He raised an eyebrow a smile still lingering on his lips. Sighing Hermione put her smaller hand in his allowing him to pull her up. He grinned before leading her towards the stairs to his room.

Hermione looked around Malfoy's room noting it was pretty similar to her own. It was surprisingly neat unlike the way Harry and Ron kept theirs. His desk was organized and she was happy to see he had created a schedule similar to the ones she makes.

"Have a seat Walker," Draco gestured to his chair,

Hermione sat while Draco went in his closet. He pulled out a pensieve carefully walking over and placing it on his desk.

"Ready?" Draco asked uncorking the vial and pouring the memory in,

Hermione watched the memory swirl, she looked up at Draco before nodding, "Yeah,"

"Go on then," Draco smiled,

Hermione took a deep breath before putting her face in the pensieve. She was immediately transferred to a large room. It was clearly a child's bedroom, the walls were done in a beautiful cream color that matched the plush rug under her feet. Magical painted fairies flew around the walls spreading glitter as they passed. The room was decorated with elegant furniture, Hermione was sure cost more than her entire childhood home combined.

"She's beautiful Melinda," a deep voice said making Hermione finally notice the people standing on the other side of the room by an elaborate looking crib.

Hermione gasped her eyes widening when she looked at the woman that was clearly her mother for the first time. It was like looking in a mirror with some slight modifications. Melinda had the same dark eyes and full lips. She had a small nose and a dusting of freckles over face, she was also a bit taller than Hermione but not by much. The only difference between the two women was that Melinda's hair was straight and black.

"That she is Lucius," another voice answered,

Hermione's eyes were then drawn to the man that she knew to be her father. He was tall, very handsome with light green eyes. He had a fond smile on his face as he looked down into the crib. Hermione noticed that Professor Slughorn was right, she did have her father's hair. It was curly and brown, soft looking though Hermione knew that it could only be that way with the use of potions.

"Would you like to hold her? It'll give you some practice for when little Draco is born," Fox asked Lucius,

Hermione finally looked at the final person in the room. Lucius Malfoy grinned at his friend showing off straight teeth and a dimple on one cheek. Hermione tried not to think of how handsome the man was with his long blond hair pulled back in a ribbon. He was tall and broad shouldered just like his son would one day become.

"I'd love to," Lucius answered his friend,

Hermione watched as her father carefully reached down and cradled her in his arms. He looked at the baby, well her, with so much love Hermione held back tears. Melinda smiled running her hands through the baby's already curly brown hair.

"Careful darling," Melinda said as Fox kissed the baby's forehead before handing her to Lucius,

Lucius held baby Hermione as best he could minding her head while he smiled at her. The baby cooed moving her small fists and staring up at Lucius.

"Would you be opposed to an arrangement between our children Fox?" Lucius said grinning at the baby as she gripped his cheeks. "She would be perfect for my Dragon,"

Fox laughed as baby Hermione got a hold of Lucius hair and yanked, "I wouldn't mind having a talk about it once Draco is born but it's not me you should be worried about. Her godfather may have a problem with it though,"

Hermione watched Lucius cringe, though she was unsure of it was because of the hair pulling or her father's words.

"I don't believe the dark lord would mind his god daughter being betrothed to Draco," Lucius said finally releasing his hair from baby Hermione's tight fist.

Hermione gasped at the revelation, sitting up from the pensieve as soon as the memory was over.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked once he saw how pale Hermione looked,

Hermione just nodded slowly the memory still fresh in her mind, "I um, I'm going to go lay down for a bit,"

Draco watched Hermione get up and leave his room. He glanced down at the still swirling memory and plunged his face in. A few minutes later Draco sat back in his chair his thoughts on what he saw. The thought of his father arranging a marriage between himself and Hermione was a surprise but the fact that the Dark Lord was her godfather was an even bigger one.

It looked like he was going to have another chat with his father.