Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J.K. Rowling. This story is for entertainment only and not part of the official storyline.

Author's Note: This story will be updated sporadically as my writing takes me. I plan on it being about 5-10 chapters and about 2000 words per chapter give or take. I am still working on Reclaiming the House and a second story about Hermione and the Weasley boys.

Chapter one:

Hermione stared at the small mark on her shoulder near her clavicle. The Wizarding world held many customs and beliefs but this one was by far the most preposterous. The small mark was actually a group of marks if one looked close enough. The Celtic marks for Gateway which was in essence three rectangles, two stacked vertically with one horizontally across the top of the other made the top part of the tattoo like design. The Celtic symbol for time was on the bottom right. It looked like a color wheel to Hermione but figured the marks were so ancient that the symbols were little more than scratches. The last was far easier, if only because it was a star and meant star. It sat underneath and to the left of gateway.

Hermione rubbed her fingers against the marks. They didn't budge but she could feel the raised skin. It appeared almost like an engraving.

"Just when you think everything's over and you can go back to a normal life." Hermione grumbled. "Now, who do I ask what the bloody hell this means?" She glanced down at towel clad body. Perhaps she could figure out who to ask advice from after she had dressed.

She first considered going to Mrs. Weasley. The older witch usually knew the basics of the Wizarding world, though she didn't often share anything more than household charms and cooking recipes with Hermione. Perhaps not.

She could go to Remus, but her poor ex-professor was still recovering from injuries during the Battle of Hogwarts. He had been hit with a vicious but curable curse while protecting his wife, Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks.

She knew she needed someone knowledgeable. Quickly summoning a pen and paper she wrote a note to the newly instated minister for magic. Kingsley Shacklebolt was a pureblood, ex-auror and fellow member of the Order of the Phoenix who Hermione has built a solid relationship with since sharing meals with him at Grimmauld Place.

Calling her owl, a necessary gift from Harry when he decided Hermione needed to be able to contact and send her own letters, she tucked in her letter and sent the bird off.

A few hours later Kingsley Shacklebolt summoned Hermione to his office.

"Hello Hermione. You said it was rather urgent. What seems to be the problem?" The dark skinned man asked. He was near her parents age but looked far younger.

Hermione sighed, "Hello Kingsley. It's not actually about your work as the minister as much as it's your background as being a pureblood. I need you to look at something for me and give me your advice."

The man appeared curious but interested all the same. He nodded for her to proceed.

"This appeared on me this morning," Hermione said drawing the collar of her blouse down and off her collarbone. She leaned forward slightly so the man could get a better look at the markings on her clavicle. "What do I do?"

The tall wizard sucked in a sharp breath. "Hermione!" He gasp. "Do you know what this is? I've never seen one so distinguished. You can see ever symbol. Usually it's just the symbol of the house a pureblood should bond with." He paused for breath. "This is so much more. This is fates marking."

Kingsley reaches a finger out as if to trace the marks before quickly drawing his hand away. "Are you aware of fate marks?"

Hermione huffed. "It's not like purebloods share knowledge with muggleborns"

"Okay, fair enough. Alright, fate marks are to stop a Wizarding line from dying out. The witch, and it's always a witch of high intelligence and good standing, receives the mark to revive the house in question. She then bonds with the man or men in some cases who were chosen." Kingsley frowned. "You may not know this, but pureblood, help balance magic itself through our family magic. I doubt you're aware of it because you're parents are muggles. That's not anything against you. If you bond or marry into a family with family magic, you gain it also. Darker families began to covet family magic which is why some purebloods fought so hard during the war. Though I doubt even Tom Riddle understood that."

"Why did no one tell me this before?" Hermione demanded. "Why do you tell me now?"

"Well, it's simple really. You're marked for a pureblood family now. You're part of balancing magic because magic chose you.it is extremely rare for s muggleborn to be chosen. Many houses have disappeared in the last fifty years and none have returned. This is the first to gain glance." Kingsley grimaced. "I know it sounds insane, but unfortunately is all I can tell you."

Hermione glared angrily at the floor beneath her chair. "So what do I do? How do I find the family that I'm suppose to bond to?"

"Well that's also easy. Normal marks are just the symbol of the family. On fate marks, the symbol is the bottom left. Yours is the star which means your family is the Blacks. You're suppose to restore the House of Black." Kingsley said slowly, allowing time for the witch to take in everything he said.

"Bloody buggering hell. Kingsley, they're all dead!" Hermione shrieked.

"Well, that's part of restoring Magic's balance. The war destroyed many families, dark and light. Magic felt you were powerful enough to restore a dark house. That means you're an incredibly gifted witch, Hermione. Magic regardless is about intent. We call it dark and light, but magic doesn't recognize the difference. It recognizes strength. The House of Black was an incredibly strong and powerful House before its fall." Kingsley told her. "You know that Cantankerous Nott published a book about sacred twenty-eight families and it supposedly revolutionized purebloods. What you you don't know is that it was mostly done as a joke. Purebloods already knew who was magically pure because they were the ones who balanced magic. Their families have been balancing magic for hundreds of years."

"I would recommend discussing a plan with the remaining members of your House. Perhaps approach Andromeda and she can arrange for you to meet with Narcissa. Harry has access to the library at Grimmauld. Check for any old grimoires that give the process for restoration. The Blacks have had to use it once before. I believe in the early part of the thirteenth century." He nodded to Hermione before making his way to the door and opening it. "Best of luck Hermione. I know you'll figure it out. I'll prepare the paperwork for the wizard or wizards you recover."

She frowned but nodded quickly and scurried down the hall. Taking the elevator to the lobby, Hermione rushed to a fireplace. Before she could think about it, she called out Lupin Cottage. The Tonks has been staying with Lupin since the last battle, their townhouse having been destroyed by death eaters. Her last thought was, "Did that man say wizards? Plural?"

She arrived on the other side, lightly dusting off the ash that fizzled around her. Remus had given her access to his cottage since Mrs. Weasley was always having her bring the family meals.

"Hello!" Hermione called out, "It's Hermione! Is anyone home?"

Hermione heard footsteps from the hall and moved towards the table, settling in. She glanced up just as Andromeda helped Remus shuffle in to the kitchen. Nymphadora trailed in behind them holding a small blue haired baby.

"Hello Hermione! We weren't expecting you." Tonks grinned.

"I apologize. I just had a lot on my mind and little patience to wait." Hermione stuttered our, suddenly nervous to face the elder Black witch.

"I've actually come to discuss something with Mrs. Tonks, if that's possible. Though I dare say, you both may stay." She smiled nervously at the couple who had taken seats at their table.

"What can I help you with Miss Granger?" Andromeda Tonks nee Black asked.

"Well, actually Kingsley told me you could help with this." Hermione pulled the collar down on her blouse just as she had with Kingsley.

The two older witches and Remus all sucked in a breath. "Bloody hell, Mione! Welcome to the family!" Tonks giggled, her hair flashing different colors in her excitement.

"Nymphadora! Please!" Andromeda Tonks snapped demurely before turning back to the curly haired witch. "When did you receive this mark Miss Granger?"

Hermione straightened at being addressed, "This morning, ma'am."

"Excuse me." The witch in turned stood up and disappeared through the floo. Hermione turned to look at Tonks.

"She'll be back... Probably." Tonks shrugged. "Well, isn't this nifty. You're going to restore my mum's house. Wonder who will come back?"

Remus rubbed his fingers around his temple gently. "Dora, please stop. Hermione is already nervous. You're not helping."

"Oh." Hermione flushed. "I'm sorry, Remus. I've had a lot of anxiety today." Knowing the werewolf could smell her emotions she tried taking deep breaths to bring her racing heart back down.

"Have a piece of chocolate, Hermione. It will be okay." Remus muttered before holding out a chocolate frog to the younger witch. "I imagine it's been a very busy day for you."

"Yes we'll-" as Hermione spoke the floo chimed and Andromeda appeared. A second witch, this one blonde appeared behind her.

"Mum, is that?" Tonks began. "Uhm, Hello, Aunt. Welcome to my home?" Her greeting ended more as a question, even as the older witch gave a small regal nod.

Narcissa Malfoy sailed into the house regally. Her blonde hair not even mussed from her trip through the floo. "Miss Granger, may I see your fait marks?"

Hermione eyes the witch wearily before once again pulling down her collar. The witch inspected the marks, rubbing her hands across them as if to erase the whole thing. Thinking about it, Hermione wouldn't mind if Narcissa Malfoy managed to do just that. She didn't want to be responsible for the House of Black or any other bigoted pureblood house returning.

The older Black witches just nodded and mumbled toes his other. Finally they turned to Hermione, smirks spread wide across their faces. "It seems we have work to do Miss Granger."