Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own the Harry Potter Universe or any of the Characters, just manipulating them for our enjoyment.

Chapter 1 – As Normal Cracks

(Tuesday July 30, 1996)

Rain pounded loudly against the glass of the window, leading to a small bedroom. A twin size bed was pushed up against the far wall across from the door. There was a closet past the foot of the bed and a small dresser was across the room next to the door. It was quaint and simple. The room was dark, lit only by the glow of street lights from outside.

A girl lay asleep on the bed. Her petite frame fit perfectly on the small twin bed. There was a left open on her chest moving rhythmically with her slow deep breaths. Her soft, curly brown locks flowed naturally around her face in her sleep. Her face as petite as her frame had a soft natural beauty to it. There was a small smile on her face as she dreamed peacefully. She was fit snuggly under the covers on the bed. Although it was a hot, humid summer night outside, her bedroom was kept cool with the ceiling fan constantly on. A fluffy cat was sleeping peacefully curled up by her feet. Neither of them seemed to have a care in the world this summer.

The cat was awoken from its slumber by a tapping on the window pane. Immediately, he arose to investigate the sound and noticed the white owl outside the window. He began to playfully pawing at the glass, meowing its hello to an old friend. The girl stirred with the sound and knocked her book closed to the floor. She rose up out of bed and let the beautiful white owl in her bedroom. The very wet and unhappy owl flew in and landed on top of a pile of books on her dresser, dripping water everywhere.

The girl closed the window behind the owl and pulled out some owl treats from one of the top drawers of her dresser. The owl happily ate one of the treats while she smiled and pet the top of its wet head. Then she went down its leg and untied the letter he had for her. She already knew who it was from.

Hermione,

How has your summer been treating you? Luckily, I've been at the Burrow with Ron all summer. We've been practicing Quidditch a lot, so we are prepared to kick some Slytherin arse this year. Ron and Ginny send their hellos. Fred and George have been driving Mrs. Weasley crazy. There hasn't been a day yet that she hasn't had to get on to them for some new prank they've come up. We all miss you. You should come visit the Burrow before we go back to school. And please don't tell me you've been studying. It's summer, so try taking a break from studying for once. Have fun.

Harry

Hermione smiled to herself, her friends know her too well. She had fallen asleep while studying and it was still the first month of summer. They have been best friends since first year and were about to start their sixth year soon. She wasn't sure if she was going to make to the Burrow this year or not. For once she didn't have her summer planned out. She was letting her parents make the most of it, she controlled too many of their vacations already. She pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill to write Harry back.

Harry

My summer has been relaxing. I happen to find studying to be quite relaxing, thank you. I'm not sure what my summer plans are going to be yet. I haven't planned a single thing, leaving it up to my parents for once. Mum did say we were going to have a busy summer this year, even though so far all I've done is read at home. I don't know what that entails, but I just want to spend a good summer with parents this year. I'll still write you though, I promise. If it's up to me though, I'll definitely be at the Burrow sometime this summer. Keep practicing Quidditch. We don't want to let those greasy Slytherins to beat us again. Tell Ginny and Ron I say hello as well. I miss you all.

Hermione

She tied the letter to the owl's leg and gave him another owl treat for being patient with her. She opened the window for him again, and he flew back out into the rain towards the Burrow. She quickly closed the window behind to avoid letting too much rain into her bedroom. She stooped down to pick up her book that had fallen, and made her way back towards the dresser. She could never read enough. She sighed as she laid it on her dresser among the many other books and hopped back in bed. She glanced over at the clock to see that it was four in the morning before she drifted back off into dreamland.

Miles away, another window was being attacked by the same rain. It led to a large bedroom. It was dark in decoration and had a large king size bed in the middle. There was a connecting bathroom equally as large, and a very beautifully engraved dresser. Both sides of the bed had matching engraved night stands, and a bookshelf filled with books along another wall. There was a desk on one side of the room and a walk-in closet on the other side. The room was lit by lights, but there was still a feeling of darkness.

A boy sat at the desk reading a thick leather book. He had slick silver blonde hair hanging slightly in front of his face. His stormy grey eyes were scanning the contents of the book on his desk. He seemed to be enjoying himself in the quiet atmosphere of his bedroom. He sighed as he realized what time it was, it was already one in the morning. He closed his book and pushed it up against the wall.

As he was standing up about to go to bed, he heard the familiar tapping on his window. He let another long sigh, wishing he could get an uninterrupted night once in a while. He walked over and let the strong black hawk in from the pouring rain. It flew over to his desk and waited patiently, head held high. The tall boy walked over to the hawk and went to get the letter for its leg only to be bitten. He let out another exasperated sigh as he read for a treat for him. After he had eaten his fair share of treats, four of them to be exact, he allowed the boy to get the letter from his leg.

Draco,

I'm sure you've been made aware that this year will be the year you are tested the most. We'll have to make sure that you are ready by this time next year. You will be called to a meeting in the next week that will fill you in on some more information you might be able to assist us with. I will be contacting you again shortly. Do not get too comfortable in that Manor by yourself. We will be returning.

Lucius

Draco put the letter down on top of the many others he had received this summer. His parents had been gone the entire time so far, leaving him with the Manor to himself. He didn't mind, but it seemed like every time he was about to lie down and relax, he would get another letter. He debated writing his father a letter back. It seemed so pointless; it was obvious what he would say. But he knew if he didn't write back, it would be disrespectful, so he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill.

Father,

I am well aware of what this year holds in store for me. We've discussed this before, I am more than ready. You also know that I'm more than willing to help in any matter I can for the Dark Lord. Whatever this meeting is about, I will help. I rather enjoy the Manor by myself. It's peaceful and quiet. I look forward to speaking about this further.

Draco

Another sigh left his lips as he read over his letter. They were always so cut and dry. He didn't have any real emotion towards his father; emotions are a weakness after all. Draco was far from weak. He gave the hawk his reply and sent it on his way back. Draco closed the window behind the hawk and retreated to his bed. He was more than a little curious about this meeting. It was about time he was allowed to attend one; he was tired of always being left out. He was ready to prove himself to them, and next year he would be able to join them.

(Wednesday July 31, 1996)

Hermione awoke the next morning to the sound of an argument. Her parents never fought. She quickly rolled out of bed and snuck quietly out into the hallway where she could hear their voices clearly.

"We have to tell her," her dad's voiced carried from their bedroom door.

"No, we don't have to do anything. We don't know everything, and I will not put her in danger," her mother retaliated.

"She has a right to know, though"

"It doesn't matter, we can't risk it. Now stop arguing with me about this, we already have a plan," her mother finished the conversation.

Hermione quickly went back in her room to change. What were they talking about; they never kept any secrets from her. Her parents taught her that honesty was the foundation of any relationship. They obviously couldn't have been talking about her. They wouldn't hide anything from her.

A knock on her door startled her from her thoughts. "Hermione, hunny?" It was her father.

She opened the door. "Morning, Dad," she greeted him with a hug.

"I have to leave for a business trip today. I should only been gone a couple of days," he told her gently returning her hug.

She frowned, her parents never had business trips; they were dentists. "Where are you going?" she asked trying to sound curious and not suspicious.

"It's not far, don't worry. I'll be back in a couple of days," he avoided her question.

"Are you leaving now?" she frowned deeper.

"Yes. I love you, hunny. I'll see you a couple of days" he hugged her again and kissed the top her head before turning and leaving.

Now Hermione was more confused. They obviously had a secret they were keeping. It could be about her or it could be about someone else for all she knew. Nevertheless, her parents were acting very strange this summer.

She met her mother downstairs for breakfast a short time later. She had made pancakes and eggs with a glass of orange juice. Hermione sat at the seat across from her, watched her over her plate. "Why did Dad have to go on a business trip? I mean since when do dentists have business trips?" Hermione asked quietly.

"It's more like a convention for a new kind of procedure," her mother readily replied, but didn't meet Hermione's eyes; she knew she was lying.

She sighed and took another bite of her food. She decided she should just push it away for the time being and enjoy the time she had with her parents. She was growing up too fast as it was. "Well then, what do you have planned for us while he's away? Girls day out?" she forced smile across her face.

"That sounds good dear, but I actually have some things I have to take care of down at the office today. Maybe tomorrow," she replied, still barely looking at Hermione.

"On a Saturday? The office isn't even open today."

"Exactly. It's just some paperwork that I've neglected and it's easier to do when no one is there to bother me."

"Well, guess I've got another day with my books," she finished as she went back to her food. She couldn't shake the feeling that her parents were actually trying to avoid her. She's been home for almost a month, and she hasn't really seen them at all.

Later that day, Hermione found herself with the house to herself again. She couldn't stop her curiosity about why her parents didn't want to spend time with her this summer. Well, if they had a secret from her, she was sure as hell going to find out what it was. There was one room in the house that she was never allowed in, her parent's office.

It was the furthest door in the hallway from hers, on the other side of her parent's bedroom. It was locked, but of course a wand can always fix that. She unlocked the door quickly, and stepped into the small office. It was littered with files, paperwork, and books. Hermione started to go through the papers on the desk, not exactly sure what she was looking for. They were mostly copies of clients' files from the office, and many pictures of teeth. The drawers on the desk were filled with their personal documents. She couldn't find anything suspicious or anything even with her name on it.

Hermione was about to give up on her search, when she noticed a small box tucked away between desk and the far wall of the room. It was locked as well, making her more curious by what could be hidden in there. With a quick wave of her wand, the lock clicked. After slowly opening the box, she was left staring at a single picture on the top of the stack of papers and letters it contained. It wasn't a muggle picture which would have been the most surprising part, but it was the fact that she was staring into her own golden brown eyes. The baby was staring back at her while gripping tightly to another woman with long wavy brown hair and matching eyes. There was a tall man with short dark hair and deep brown eyes standing next to them, smiling lovingly at the baby while playing with her soft hair.

Her mind went numb; all thoughts retreated to her subconscious. She slowly picked up the picture and continued to stare silently at herself as a baby.

(Monday August 5, 1996)

Draco was sitting at the smaller table, still able to comfortably sit eight people, eating his breakfast the house elves served him. It had been almost a week and he stilled hadn't heard any more information about the meeting he was supposed to attend. This solitude was starting to get on his nerves, as were the at least two letters a day he had been receiving from Pansy. Why had he let himself get sucked into a relationship with her again?

He groaned as he noticed a pile of letters by the door, pushing away his finished plate. Many of them were for his father and a few for his mother. He discarded the newest letter from Pansy, before pulling out the other two that were addressed to him. One was from Hogwarts notifying him that he would be a Perfect for the following school. He smirked realizing how easy it was going to be to get away with what he wanted to do. The second was from his father regarding the meeting, finally.

Draco,

The Dark Lord does not feel that you should be involved in the meeting discussing the manor of the mission. We will be holding the meeting later today and I will owl you with the details after. It is a touchy subject and you are not to mention this to anyone. I expect you to be waiting for the owl tonight and for a hasty reply.

Lucius

Draco squashed the letter his fist. He was always left out of meetings even when they were discussing matters that involved him. If they were expecting him to help them with some mission, he should at least be present at the meeting discussing the mission. He had planned to go out and meet Blaise at Diagon Alley, but he knew he had to stay home and wait for his father's next letter.

He spent the day idly reading on a couch downstairs. He had the house elves bring him snacks occasionally, but mostly enjoyed his books on the dark arts. The family library was filled with every book there was on the dark arts and he had read through them multiple times already. It was relaxing to strengthen his knowledge on the subject though. He had already read through his books for his sixth year at Hogwarts and assumed he'd have an easy year.

Finally, after eating dinner, Draco heard a loud pop from someone apperating into the Manor in the next room. He was surprised that someone had come to visit him as he was expecting an owl. He got up from the couch and walked to the next room and was further surprised when he found his father sitting in a chair across from him.

"Father," Draco acknowledged with a nod of his head as he walked to a chair across from his father. "I was expecting your hawk to bring me your response." He sat on the chair and waited for his father to inform him on what happened at the meeting.

"The information should not be sent by owls. We do not want others to know what we have planned," Lucius started. "You are aware of the Blaizkin's, correct?" Lucius waited until his son had nodded in agreement before he went on. "Well, Greg Blaizkin was sent to Azkaban earlier this year for his involvement with our Dark Lord. His wife, Maria, has stayed close to our case and continues to work faithfully for Him."

Lucius watched his on soak in the information. Draco was confused as to why he was being told information that was obvious to anyone who had access to the Daily Prophet. There should be fear in sharing this through an owl. He nodded his head again and waited for his father to continue.

"Before they pledged their allegiance to our Dark Lord, they had a child. Someone managed to coerce Maria into giving the child away to another family to keep them from our Dark Lord. Now He wants this child in his ranks. He has found quite a bit of interesting information on this child, at it appears that it is the missing link to our victory," Lucius paused to allow his son to comprehend the gravity of the information he was sharing.

"I see. What does our Dark Lord need my assistance with?" Draco asked more intrigued than he thought he would become.

"As I stated, our Dark Lord has gathered information on the child, but we need help finding her," Lucius continued. Draco was shocked to him say 'her'.

"It seems that Maria had her memory wiped from who she had given her child to. We do know that it is a girl, and that she is your age. She should be an extremely powerful witch for her time. We believe that she is attending Hogwarts. Based on her family history, she will most likely be a Slytherin, but we do not know how she was raised. We need you to find her. She will have no information on who she really is, and may not even know that she was adopted. And you cannot assume anything about her. She may not have been raised the way she should have been, and may be extremely difficult to find," Lucius finished. He watched his son while the wheels were turning in his head. Draco was shocked to say the least.

"So I need to find her once I'm back at Hogwarts," Draco stated more than asked. His father just nodded at him. "How will I know who she his once I find her?" Draco asked wondering how he would be able to pull this off.

"This is your mission, and you will need to trust your judgment. Once you think you've found her, let us know and we will tell you what to do from there. We will get her to join our ranks for our Dark Lord and she should be the difference between a loss and a victory." Lucius had stood up by now, preparing to leave. "They are waiting for my return. I must leave you now. And don't forget, our Dark Lord does not accept failure." With that Lucius apparated out of the Manor once more.

Draco was left stunned and curious. Once he returned to Hogwarts he would have to search for a sixth year student, who was an extremely powerful witch and as the missing link to the Dark Lord. He was determined to make his Dark Lord proud, and would find the missing pureblood witch if it was the last thing he did.

A/N: This is my first FanFic so please don't be too harsh. Obviously this is AU and doesn't really follow the plot line in the books to the tee. The characters may be OCC, but I will try my best to keep them as close to canon as I can. I've been obsessing with this idea for a while now and I finally have to time to get it written. Please let me know what you think and I will do my best to update weekly.