Hermione’s is reintroduced to someone from her past.

The end of the year had come and summer had flown by. Hermione had spent two weeks with Draco, Narcissa and her mum on the Malfoy’s island near Greece seeing the sights and lounging in the ocean. She and Draco spent all their time together and she simply couldn’t remember a time in her life when she’d ever been this happy.

She traveled with her Father as promised.

Bulgaria, France, Russia and the United States—it seemed everywhere Lord Voldemort went, he was in high demand.

People listened to his initiatives and he was always quick to point out that his Daughter was just as involved as he was in making sure Wizarding Britain was on the cutting edge of progress and change. Many didn’t believe that a seventeen-year-old witch could be so valued—but once Hermione spoke and shared her philosophies and views on Wizarding Politics and Economics—many of those within the foreign ministries were eager to work with Britain.

Seventh year had gone by in a blur.

Both she and Draco were Head Students and they shared a dorm and were blissfully happy.

Harry had indeed sent a letter of intent to Cho’s family, which was accepted happily.

Marlene and Tom had decided to formally marry and the wedding was a small affair. Only the Malfoy’s, Hermione, Severus, Corban, Daphne and the Lestrange Brother’s were in attendance. Rodolphus and Rabastan had been suitably chastised by their Lord for aiding his daughter in her quest, but he was quick to let them know that he expected them to honor their vow to protect Hermione. However, if she ever came to them again with some hair-brained scheme—they were to advise him immediately or suffer the consequences.

Both wizard’s readily agreed to their Lord’s demands.

Upon graduation, Draco presented Hermione with a beautiful five carat flawless emerald engagement ring with two diamonds flanking either side.

It was simply exquisite and she loved it.

The two were married the spring after they’d graduated Hogwarts. Hermione had of course, graduated the top of her class, earning the highest NEWT scores in the history of Hogwarts. Tom Riddle couldn’t have been prouder of his daughter, so when he told her upon graduating that he was planning on reinstating the Gaunt Family Seat on the Wizengamot, and that it was hers—she was shocked, and then hugged her Father tightly, thanking him for the generous gift.

Lucius Malfoy was elected Minister for Magic in the summer of 1999, to the surprise of no one. The pompous Pureblood was the voice of the new progressive Ministry of Magic and the new policies being implemented were overwhelmingly popular within the Magical community by large.

Harry Potter had decided on becoming an Auror, something he seemed destined for. He was a ministry darling and often could be found going on double dates with Cho, Hermione and Draco.

It seemed that things were finally settling down in the Magical World.

Ronald Weasley had moved to Romania to work at the Dragon Reserve with his brother, Charlie—the only NEWT he’d received was in Magical Creatures and he was more than happy to leave Britain behind, never quite secure in the knowledge that Hermione McKinnon Riddle Malfoy would come collecting on her life debt at any point in time.

Five years later, Hermione was pregnant with her and Draco’s first child, a son.

They had decided upon the name Scorpius Thomas Malfoy.

A month before her due date, her Father had shown up at Malfoy Manor with a letter in his hand looking a bit pensive. Handing the letter to her, she took it warily and read the information contained within, her expression falling in shock as she finished it.

“Are you sure it’s the same person, Father?”

Tom nodded. “It is. She’s married as you can see, and her daughter just turned three last week. The Hogwarts registry updated when her Magic was expressed and I thought you might want to be the one to make first contact with the family—perhaps be their magical sponsor?”

Hermione nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, I would. Thank you, Father.”

“No, Hermione—thank you. I’m very proud of you dearest, and I’m not sure I’ve ever said the actual words before.”

Standing up, she gave her Father a hug and kiss on the cheek, as he was becoming more comfortable with affection.

“I’m proud of you too.”

Tom chuckled and told his daughter he would check on her after her visit.

Draco had wanted to go with her, but in the end it was her mum who had decided to visit the Muggle’s home. When they arrived, it was a small stately home in the outskirts of Hampstead Heath, not far from where Hermione had grown up with her own Muggle parents.

Knocking on the yellow door of the two-story detached home, Hermione grasped her mother’s hand in solidarity as the door opened and large blue eyes stared into hers questioningly.

“Can I help you?” The woman asked kindly.

“Yes, hello...we are sorry to intrude but my name is Hermione Malfoy and this is my mother, Marlene Riddle. We were hoping to have a few minutes of your time.”

The woman smiled a bit warily. “Hermione you said? My daughter’s name is Hermione.”

Hermione swallowed with emotion, knowing this information already but it didn’t make it any less poignant hearing it from the woman’s mouth.

“That’s amazing.” Hermione smiled softly. “I hope we’re not intruding.”

The woman shook her head. “No...I’m sorry. I’m Meghan Burke.”

“Hello, Meghan. We are actually here to talk to you about your daughter.”

“What about her?” The woman’s face closed off in distrust.

Hermione waved her hand and a letter appeared, causing the woman’s blue eyes to widen in disbelief. “Magic?” Meghan breathed out in wonder. “You have magic?”

Hermione smiled and nodded. “As does your daughter—that’s why we’re here, to discuss it with you. May we come in for a bit?”

Meghan nodded and opened the door, inviting the two women in—one who was very pregnant.

“When are you due?” Meghan asked politely.

“A few more weeks.” Hermione smiled. “It’s my first and I’m ready to have him.”

“A boy? Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Hermione nodded and took in the small home, which was tastefully decorated.

Inviting the women into the small sitting room, Meghan went to fetch tea and biscuits.

“Hermione is sleeping in her crib right now.” Meghan offered as she walked back into the room with the tea set, setting it down on the table between the couch and the comfy chairs that were an interesting shade of aubergine.

The Christmas decorations were a nice touch.

Once the tea was settled, Marlene decided to explain why they were there, and what it meant for Meghan’s daughter, being magical. To her credit, Meghan listened with interest and asked many relevant questions.

“So,what you’re saying is my daughter is a witch, there’s a magical community here in Britain full of witches and wizards and my daughter has an opportunity to attend magical schools where she will learn all about magic?”

Hermione nodded, smiling in reassurance. “I know it’s a lot to digest. I was actually raised in the Muggle world...it’s what we call non-Magical’s. It’s a long story, but it was hard for me. Prejudice is a living, breathing concern and in the Magical World it’s no different, but we’re trying to make changes for the better, so that what happened to me doesn’t happen to others. Your daughter will have the opportunity to learn about magic at a much earlier age than I did. You will be assigned a Magical Sponsor who will guide your daughter’s transition into the Magical World.”

Meghan nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “You know, my husband didn’t seem all that surprised when Hermione exhibited her magic.”

Marlene looked on with interest. “Did you say your last name was Burke?”

Meghan nodded. “Why?”

“Well, my Grandmother’s maiden name was Burke. It might be a coincidence.”

“It’s not.” Said a deep voice that was watching from the doorway to the kitchen.

“Micah? I didn’t know you were home. What do you mean it’s not.”

Micah sighed and warily entered the room and sat down next to his wife, and then proceeded to explain that he was a squib, a cousin of Marlene’s family as it turned out. When he was done with the explanation, Hermione smiled warmly at the man.

“I would be honored to be Hermione’s sponsor, if you’re both willing. Since we are distantly related, it seems like it’s fated.”

Micah shrugged. “My family didn’t abandon me, but I wasn’t exactly welcomed in your world either. Why should I believe my daughter will be welcomed?”

“Because we are trying to change things, Micah. My Father and Father-in-Law both have been instrumental in working within the British Ministry of Magic to reform the educational laws so that Muggle-born children have a real chance in our society and aren’t looked down due to the circumstances of their birth.”

“And who is your Father and Father in Law?”

“Lucius Malfoy is my Father in Law, he is the current Minister for Magic. Tom Riddle is my Father.”

Micah’s eyes widened. “You’re the daughter of Lord Voldemort?”

“I am.” Hermione said softly.

“Meghan and I will discuss it, but if we decide against having Hermione anywhere near the Magical World, what then?”

“Then we have a spell designed to strip her magic and modify your memories so you don’t remember ever having this conversation.”

Meghan’s voice hitched. “That’s a bit harsh.”

“Perhaps it is, but it’s important to understand that the Statute of Secrecy is there for a reason. We don’t take it lightly, nor who and how we share this information. Micah has some knowledge, obviously grew up with a magical family at some point and therefore has a cursory understanding of how our laws work. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s the best we can do at this time. Ultimately the decision rests in both your hands to do what is in your daughter’s best interests.”

“How much time can we take to think about this?” Meghan asked curiously.

“How about I come back in a few months and we can discuss it a bit more then? I’m due in a month and I probably won’t be going anywhere for a bit. If you need someone to talk to or any help, my Mum I’m sure, would be willing to help.”

Marlene nodded. “Of course. We are family after all.”

“Thank you for coming and talking with us.” Micah said in a much kinder voice than he’d started with.

“It’s our pleasure, I assure you.” Hermione smiled warmly before she took out a small journal and handed it to Meghan. “This is a two-way journal. I have the other and it is charmed much like a recorder. It will show me anything you write in it and vice versa.”

“That’s handy.” Meghan smiled widely, turning to her husband who just gave his wife a fond look at her excitement.

“We can show ourselves out.” Marlene said.

“Thank you again for coming today.” Meghan replied.

“You’re welcome, dear, and hopefully we will be hearing from you both soon.” Marlene stated before she and Hermione left and apparated back to McKinnon Manor.