Hermione's Secret

Chapter 11: Snowy Holiday

"Thanks...." I replied inspecting the bracelet.

A sad expression came across my fathers face. "Narcissa told me youd prefer to take it slow with us. Thats fine. I was gone for 15 years- oh 18 years of your life."

"Um...exactly." I forced a smile on my face.

"I hope we can move forward here. I wish you luck with Severus and Harry." My father stated.

"Theres no luck needed, they are both smitten with me." I smirked.

"Thats what happens with soul mates."

"You look a lot different than Harrys described you. What happened at Riddle Manor?" I asked

"Nothing. Harry never left the school grounds. Dumby created that illusion." My father scowled.

"Wormtail?"

"Hes not my spy, hes Dumbles'. I tried to turn him, but hes a weak man with no back bone."

I scoffed, "you're telling me."

"Im actually tasking Draco to murder the Headmaster....if hes got the strength to do it." My father grinned.

"He'll be a hero if he pulls it off. But...how can he? I dont want him to be a murderer." I shuddered.

"Draco is my plan B. Plan A is having Severus poison the old man. He trusts Severus and, that is saying something."

Later that night at dinner, I chatted with everyone. "Tell me more about this short tempered red haired prat Cissy mentioned." My father  stated.

I groaned, "he thinks we belong together. He's a control freak, seeing the world in black and white. I cut my friendship off with him."

"I see. Sounds like attraction and obsessive potions were given to that boy." Cissy stated.

"Hmmm.... it's getting damn annoying! Maybe Severus can scan him for any toxins?" I asked hopefully.

"Severus' scan takes a while, we won't know for a while." Cissy stated.

"Meanwhile it's been hard not to snog Severus silly in class." Hermione huffed.

"Soulbonds are very strong my dear. You only need to resist a little bit longer." Thomas reassured the young witch.

"So Thomas, are you ok with having the Potters as family?" Severus asked

"Yes Lord Potter holds a lot of respect, and Lady Potter is a renowned Potions Mistress." Thomas smiled.

"Huh, I hadn't known." Hermione frowned.

"She was about to be announced as Potions Mistress before she and her family were attacked. Now all mistakes can be corrected." Cissy stated.

"Happy to meet your father, Rosa?" Draco asked.

"Very. Cissy has offered me a room here." I answered.

"Are you ok with being my brother? We never got around to talking about that." Draco blushed.

"Im not sure yet. You've been mean to me all the years at Hogwarts. Granted you didn't know who I was,but that makes it worse, doesn't it? I know its weird to meet your older half sister, but I hope I can know you better." I explained.

"I hope you can too. I was holding up the expectations my father holds me to. He'd search my memories and everything. I have Iike no privacy." Draco scowled.

I sighed, "I understand. Hopefully once the headmaster is dead, I can be my true self at last."

"Yes. I'm excited but if you tell anyone I'll....you'd rather not know what I'll do." Draco smirked.

"Of course not."

"Hermione!" Cissy called.

"Im coming Cissy." I answered. I came down and stopped short at seeing a tall women who only ever leered at me.  "Bellatrix,"

"What is that Mudblood doing in your home Cissy?"

"This is why." Cissy waved her wand and my true appearance came forth.

Bellatrix squealed. "My lost niece has returned at last!'

"Yes I have, but I thought you had tortured Nevilles parents into insanity." I stated.

"Dumby did that disguised as me. I have a real criminal locked up in my place. The  Longbottoms have been fine. It's all been one big lie, dear Rosa." Bellatrix replied.

"I can see that now." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

*

"Bye Cissy and Tom." I winked before stepping through the floo. I came out into a spacious sitting room. "Harry?" I called.

"Hello my lioness." A deep voice purred.

I turned and saw Severus reading a book. "I didn't know you'd be here!" I grinned.

"Thomas required I stay here and not with them." Severus strode forward and hugged me.

"Where is everyone?"

"Lily is downstairs brewing an antidote to Lupins ailments regarding the full moon. The Potters are outside playing quidditch.  I thought you and I could curl up together and read a book or two until dinner." A single thick went up.

"That sounds great. So much has happened and everything has changed.especially me." I sighed heavily.

"If it's too much, we can slow down." Severus said at once 

"No, I'm ok with this." I kissed his smooth cheek and summoned a book.

"My little bookworm." Severus murmered before kissing my head.

"Dinnertime!" Lily called a  hour later. We all came and sat down when the floo roared to life. Out stepped Cissy, Thomas, Lucius, Draco and Bellatrix.

"Welcome Blacks and Malfoys!" Lily exclaimed summoning more chairs and the table extended.

"Didnt think we'd see all of you." Sirius smiled.

"When else can we all get together if not over the winter holidays?" Cissy asked.

'Very true." James replied.

"Im just...surprised that you Potters are alive." Lucius stated.

"Im beyond thrilled though." Harry grinned.

"Of course you would be. You grew up not knowing your parents. But Potters, why have you stayed hodden?" Lucius asked.

"If we revealed ourselves, Dumby would have killed us. We had no idea who we could trust. But we've been watching everything during our exile. If we had known about an ally sooner, we would have made contact." Lily stated.

"I see. You could have contacted me." Severus stated 

"You appeared to close to the old man. I wasn't sure you'd sell us out to him. I hated not being able to trust you." Lily replied 

"Its all in the past where it belongs." Severus smiled.

"Lets all work towards a better future."

"Agreed, we can all drink to that." I announced. Everyone at the table raised their glasses.

"To a better future!" We all clinked our glasses.