The sunlight filtered through the curtains, landing on her face. Hermione groaned and rolled over; pulling the covers over her head. She had stayed up a bit too late last night with Harry to celebrate her eighteenth birthday. Eighteen was not such a big deal in the wizarding world, but she was now an adult on the muggle side as well. Harry seemed to think that required a celebration of sorts. It's been over a year since the end of the war and things have changed greatly, which was why it had been only Harry and herself last night. Things did not work out with Ron after that hastily shared snog in the Chamber of Secrets as it felt more like she was snogging her brother rather than a boyfriend. Ginny decided she wanted to be with the famous Boy-Who-Lived instead of the boy Harry really was. Needless to say, an epic fight happened between the four that ended up with a huge falling out between Harry and Hermione, and the entire Weasley family. Harry was initially upset that the people who he had considered family had turned their backs on him but since he still had Hermione, he was happy. They were currently living together in a newly renovated Grimmauld Place and they both loved it.

Hermione rolled and stretched in her bed. As she did so, she caught sight of some light-colored hair on her pillow. Thinking that was odd, she went to touch it but it moved with her head. Realizing something was wrong; she jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror. What she saw in front of her caused her to start screaming, loudly. Not two minutes later, Harry rushed into her room with his wand held out in front of him.

"Hermione! What's wrong?" he yelled as he ran into the room. He stopped short as he took a good look at the person standing in front of him. He stormed up to her and leveled his wand in her face.

"Who are you? What have you done with Hermione?"

"Harry, it's me! I don't know what happened. I woke up looking like this and I'm a bit freaked out."

"Prove it. What did Hermione say to me when we were in the Forest of Dean during the War?"

"Maybe we should just stay here Harry, grow old... "

He dropped his wand and ran a hand through his constantly messy black hair.

"Sorry, had to be sure. What the bloody hell happened to you?"

He took a closer look at her. She was taller by about an inch. Her body hadn't changed too much beyond that, maybe just a bit more curves. Her hair, however, was completely different. It was long, completely pin straight, hung halfway down her back, and was very blonde. Her eyes were now a blueish-grey instead of their normal brown. Her face had changed slightly as well but, if you looked hard enough, you would be able to recognize her as Hermione Granger.

"I have no idea, I just woke up looking like this. I would normally say maybe the twins did something but since they are barely speaking to me, I doubt it."

She turned back to look in the mirror once more. She thought she appeared very pretty now, still like herself, yet different at the same time. Harry stood behind her and narrowed his eyes at her reflection.

"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you look a bit like Malfoy."

Hermione looked horrified.

"Why would you say something like that? Can you imagine if that was true? Talk about my worst nightmare."

Just then, a loud POP echoed throughout the house. They both whipped around with their wands held out in front of them. There, floating in the air right in front of them, was an envelope addressed to Hermione. They glanced at each other and Harry ran his wand around it, looking for any curses or jinxes.

"It doesn't look as if it is cursed. I think it's safe for you to open."

Hermione slowly reached out and gently took the envelope. She turned it over, broke the seal, and pulled out a letter. She just stared at it for a minute, nervous as to what it might say, and then slowly unfolded it.

Hermione,

If you are reading this letter, you are eighteen now and we are dead. We want to first say how sorry we are that we aren't there to explain this to you in person, but we were bound from speaking of it until you turned eighteen. Please know that your father and I loved you more than anything in the world and nothing will ever change that. You see, after many years of trying, we found out that I was unable to carry a child. It took six miscarriages for the doctors to tell me that it would be possibly fatal to try further. One night, we received a visit from an old friend who knew of our plight. He had a baby girl that he needed a good home for right away. He explained that her parents felt she would be in danger if she stayed with them. Something about some dark lord. Of course, we now know exactly who that is, but back then, we asked very few questions. We were so happy to take you in. This friend put a glamour on you and said we could not tell you anything about the adoption until you turned eighteen. You might be wondering who this friend is and you will be surprised to learn his name was Albus Dumbledore. I won't go into details about how exactly we knew him, as that is not important, but suffice it to say he was a very good friend. He would not tell me who your biological parents are, even after I begged him, but told me they would be notified as soon as you learned the truth. All I know about them is that they loved you very much and it hurt them greatly to give you up. Please don't be angry with us, we did what we thought was best. We love you, always.

Love,

Mum and Dad

Hermione felt the letter fall from her hands as she sank to the floor.

"Hermione, are you ok? What is it?" Harry asked as he picked up the letter off the floor. Hermione just looked up at him with tears running down her face. Harry began reading the letter and when he was done he looked at her in surprise.

"Adopted? That's certainly a surprise. What are you going to do?"

"I... I don't know. I can't believe... I just... why would he keep this from me? My parents died two years ago! I would have given anything to know I still had some family left!"

Harry looked at her sadly and let out a soft sigh.

"I don't know, Hermione. Albus was a good man, but he was also a master manipulator. No one will ever know why he did the things he did. Are you going to look for your biological parents?"

"I don't think I have to. The letter says they will be notified as soon as I know the truth. I assume they will probably contact me if what my mum said is true."

"That makes sense. You know, everything is going to be okay. I'm here for you, no matter what," he said as he drew her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm going to go start breakfast. I have a feeling we are going to need some food. Come down in a few, okay?"

She nodded in agreement. He left her room and shut the door behind him. She dropped down onto her bed and buried her face in her hands. Her whole life as she knew it was a lie. She couldn't believe her parents knew Dumbledore and that they were just completely okay with keeping her in the dark about her true heritage. With a deep breath, she got up from her bed. Her and Harry had been through worse and she knew that he would stand by her side with whatever she needed. Feeling slightly better, she decided to go downstairs and help with breakfast.

Harry walked down the stairs and made his way to the kitchen. As soon as he reached the living room, he heard three loud POPs behind him that sounded like someone (or three someones) had Apparated into the room. Clearly surprised he quickly turned around, wand ready in his hand. Who he saw standing in front of him nearly caused him to drop his wand in shock. There, standing in his living room, in a house that was under a Fidelius, were the Malfoys. They were staring back at him, the shock clearly apparent on their faces.

"What are you doing in my house? How were you able to get past the wards? This house is under a Fidelius!"

A horrifying thought occurred to Harry as he thought back to what he said to Hermione when he first saw her new look. His horror must have shown on his face because Malfoy sneered at him and said, "It seems as though you have realized why we are here. Nice to see you use your brain for once. Where's my sister, Potter?"

"Fuck," he whispered as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Look, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here right now. Let me tell her and –"

"No, this is none of your business, Potter. Merlin, you aren't shagging my sister, are you? Please tell me she has better taste than to pick you."

"Mr. Potter, please. Is my daughter here? We've been waiting so long," Narcissa pleaded. Harry's face softened as he took in the hopeful look at her face. He held a soft spot for her, being that she saved his life. Harry sighed in defeat.

"She is but –," he started to say before he was interrupted.

"Harry, love, is breakfast almost ready? I don't know when I'm going to hear from my family and I want time to get ready."

Hermione chose that moment to join him in the room. 'Shit', he thought to himself. This was not going to go well. Hermione stopped short when she saw who else was with Harry. She shot a questioning look at Harry and he nodded in confirmation. A look of pure horror overcame her face with the realization of just why the Malfoys were there.

"No. No no no no no no no no no. This can't be happening to me. No," she whispered to herself.

"Cassi, please, just let me explain," Narcissa started to say with tears streaming down her face. Malfoy was looking at her with awe on his face, but Lucius did not look happy at all. He was glaring at Harry.

"What did you just call me?"

"Cassi. Your full name is Cassiopeia Hermia Malfoy."

"Of course it is," she murmured under her breath. Narcissa started to approach her but Hermione scrambled back, half hiding behind Harry. Narcissa stopped in her tracks, looking slightly wounded that Hermione had retreated from her.

"No, please! Stay away from me!" Hermione exclaimed as she turned and sprinted from the room. Harry watched her go sadly and then turned his attention back to the Malfoys. Narcissa looked crushed, while both Lucius and Malfoy looked furious.

"Look, I realize this is hard for you, but I really think you should leave. Let all this new information sink in for her so she can get used to it. She'll contact you when she's ready."

"If you think I'm leaving my sister here with you, Potter, you are sadly mistaken," Malfoy said as he pulled out his wand. Harry looked at him and just raised an eyebrow.

"You really think you can beat me in a dual, Ferret? In my own house? You'd better re-think–"

"Enough!" Lucius interrupted, "Draco, put your wand away. Mr. Potter, I am not leaving here without my daughter."

"You're going to have to. You can't make her go and if you try, I'll have this place crawling with Aurors in less time than you can say Stupefy. I'm pretty sure you are still on probation and it won't look good for you to be involved in any type of negative incident," Harry threatened. Lucius sneered at him.

"Fine. This won't be the last you hear from us," he said as he Apparated out. Draco followed his father right away. Narcissa stood there alone, looking at him.

"Please. Please, Mr. Potter. Talk to her for me. You seem close; maybe she'll listen to you. I just want my daughter back. Please," she begged him.

"I'll see what I can do," he promised. She nodded as she also Apparated away. Harry glanced over at the stairs that Hermione had run up, knowing nothing was ever going to be the same.

This was going to be a nightmare.

A/N: Edited 10/2014 with my awesome beta, erbkaiser. Please be aware, the pairing in this story is Hermione/Blaise/Theo. Please read and review!