Author's Notes: Well, after about 7 years, I have finally decided to revise, edit, and expand this story. I hope that some old readers will come back and re-read it and that it will attract some new fans. As always, please read and tell me what you think. I love your feedback.

Sincerely,
Princess Pheonix Tears

Chapter One

"Ms. Granger, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office immediately."

Hermione had just walked into her NEWT level Transfiguration class when Professor McGonagall spoke to her. Hermione looked up to see McGonagall looking at her with her hawk-like gaze. "Yes, Professor." Hermione said softly. "Do you know what this is regarding?"

Professor McGonagall shook her head slightly. "No, Ms. Granger, I do not know what this is about. He just asked that I send you to his office immediately."

Hermione nodded and set her things down before turning to walk towards the door.

Hermione didn't think much of the fact that Dumbledore wanted to see her, she was, after all, Head Girl and it wasn't that unusual for the Headmaster to need to speak to her. Hermione was a highly intellectual, logical, and observant person. She had noticed that Draco Malfoy wasn't in the classroom which was unusual. He typically arrived to Transfiguration before she did. Not that she paid any particular attention to Malfoy above others in her class, she was just observant of patterns and common behaviors. But as a logical being, Hermione supposed that not seeing Malfoy in class was not all that unusual. For if the Headmaster wanted to see the Head Girl, he would probably also want to see the Head Boy. But Hermione did not think too much on this matter for it was unimportant.

Hermione walked quickly to the Headmaster's office. She was unlike most people, eager to get back to class and learn as much as she could in the hour and a half (she strongly believed that was too short a time) of her class. Most people would walk slowly to the office, wanting to stay out of class, but Hermione was different. She loved school, and classes and she hated missing them for anything. She also believed in efficiency. There was no reason to drag her feet. When she reached the office, she went in just as quickly, eager to get started. She had no idea what this meeting was about, but she wanted to get it over with quickly. Being in close quarters with Malfoy was never a good time. Hermione had been very distressed to find out that Draco Malfoy had been made Head Boy, and that they would be forced to share living quarters for the entire Seventh Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When she entered the office, she saw Malfoy sitting in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Ms. Granger, thank you for joining us." Professor Dumbledore said.

"It's about time." Malfoy muttered under his breath.

"Please, be seated." Dumbledore said, choosing to ignore Malfoy's comment.

Hermione sat down in the seat next to Malfoy, throwing him a glare before she turned her attention to Dumbledore who had started to speak.

"Now, I am sure you are both wondering why I have called you here, and especially out of classes." He started slowly. Hermione didn't like his tone. "A matter of great importance has come to my attention, and it upsets me that I didn't know of this before hand. But now that I do know, I must talk to the two of you about this at once.

"Ms. Granger, I have some news that will probably be most unfortunate for you to hear. Your parents are here, in Professor McGonagall's office, and they have told me a most curious story. Now, please, I must ask that you don't say anything until I am finished telling this story.

"About 17 years ago, a young, magical couple was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. They loved her dearly, and doted on her, like any new parents would. This couple was fairly prominent in the wizarding world at the time, they weren't of pure blood, but-"

"Then why are we hearing this story?" Malfoy said, annoyed. "If it isn't about anything important."

"Mr. Malfoy, please let me finish. This will concern you in a moment." Dumbledore said to Malfoy, who crossed his arms and scowled. The look in Dumbledore's eyes clearly told him that any further interruptions would not be tolerated. "Now, as I was saying, this family wasn't completely pureblooded, but they were so close that they were considered of the utmost importance in the wizarding society.

"This couple soon became victims of Voldemort, they were dragged into his intricate web of deceit and lies. They came across some information that they shouldn't have, and they soon became afraid. Afraid of Voldemort, afraid of what would happen, and so they lovingly took their little girl to a muggle couple who were unable to have children. They explained magic, and their society to the couple, and then they explained their situation. The couple agreed to take the little girl and raise her, to keep her from harm's way, to keep her from Voldemort." Dumbledore took a breath, and paused.

"The little girl's name was Hermione Bennett. The Bennetts were killed by Voldemort, when they tried to betray him to the Order. They had been Death Eaters, members of Voldemort's most intimate circle, but they soon became scared that Voldemort would be destroyed and they would be thrown in jail. They came across information that they tried to pass on to the Order. They were killed immediately.

"The muggle couple kept magic a secret from their daughter, until the day she got her letter from this school. The muggle couple's name is Granger." Dumbledore stopped and looked at Hermione. As the story had progressed, her face had drained of color, and upon hearing the name, she went completely white. She had started to tremble, and was feeling very faint.

Malfoy looked at her funny. "You ok, Granger?" He asked in an uncharacteristic display of concern.

Hermione didn't say anything to Malfoy. She swallowed hard and looked up at Dumbledore with wide eyes. "I-Is that all?" She asked her voice quiet and shakey.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "No, there is something to this story that does require Mr. Malfoy's attention."

Malfoy looked up at Dumbledore, very confused. "What? What does Granger's pathetic tragedy have to do with me?"

"Mr. Malfoy, please be a little more sensitive." Dumbledore said. "Actually, there is an agreement of sorts between the Malfoys and the Bennetts."

"Agreement? What kind of agreement?" Malfoy asked, sitting straight up and moving to the edge of his chair. He suddenly seemed very nervous.

Dumbledore shifted slightly in his seat. "A wizarding agreement. A betrothal, of sorts."

"BETROTHAL!" Malfoy shouted, standing up suddenly. "What is this? My parents, they...they...I can't believe this. This must be some kind of mistake. I can't-"

Malfoy was cut off when they heard a thud, as something hit the floor. Dumbledore and Malfoy turned and found Hermione on the floor in a dead faint.