I own nothing. All characters belong to J.K Rowling

On the morning of her seventeenth birthday Hermione Granger woke with the biggest smile any had even seen on her face. In her shared room with Ginny at Grimmauld Place she let out a very girly squeal and jumped out of her bend lunging on to a very disgruntled Ginny Weasley. Despite her obvious lack of interest, Hermione was relentless in her attempts to awaken her friend and have someone to share her excitement with.

"Ginny! Ginny, wake up," she cried jumping on her knees next to Ginny's prone form. "I'm of age! I'm of age, I can do magic!" After repeating that fact several times it finally seemed to penetrate and Ginny quickly joined her.

"Yesss! You can do magic, you can do magic," Ginny chanted. Both girls had been looking forward to this day for some time. Ron had reached his majority three weeks before and had been relentless in his showing off. After Hermione and Ginny had scolded him one too many times, he had refused to do anymore magic for them, even though he was desperate for any chance to do a spell. Despite the fact that he was cutting off his own nose despite his face, Ron had stuck to his declaration, only doing magic for Harry. While this wouldn't usually have bothered the two girls it had become an extreme annoyance one the twins had suggested to the other two part of the Golden Trio that they use their monopoly on magic to their advantage. Thus the prank's had started, being pulled exclusively on Hermione and Ginny. Everything from setting Ginny's hair on fire, to charming a wall to hover constantly in front of Crookshanks face. Hence the excitement. The playing field had just been levelled.

While none of the quartet had been particularly interested, nor had the time for pranks, since the end of the war they had all loosened up considerably. Ron seemed so much like the care free boy he had been when Hermione had met him during their first year, horrid insults included. Like Harry it was like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders allowing him to just be young. She supposed she was the same. Still attached to her books most definitely but now she seemed to know it was okay to pit them down at some point. Okay to let yourself go after the work had been done. It was incredibly refreshing not to constantly be searching for answers you hoped would save your best friends from a murdering lunatic. Harry understandably had changed the most. He now seemed at peace with himself walking with a new confidence and self assurance- but never arrogance. Hermione would admit to being slightly concerned over all the hearts he was sure to break now that he had both his confidence and the new wardrobe the lack of danger had allowed him to purchase.

During her musings on her friends bed Hermione had finally stopped jumping around in her friends rumpled, rough purple sheets. Ginny had also stopped, having been distracted by the instant tapping coming from their bedroom window. Following Ginny's steps with her gaze as she lumbered up and towards the window Hermione spotted the most regal looking owl she had ever seen. It was a deep chocolate brown with green eyes that were big, even for an owl. Opening the latch to the stiff window Ginny quickly pulled it up enough for the impressive wing span to fit through.

"Expecting any post Hermione? I don't recognise the seal," she asked taking the letter from the owls extended leg and turning it over in her hands.

"No, I'm not expecting anything," Hermione answered standing as well. Tugging on the top of her matching green pyjama set trying to pull it up to cover herself more fully; she couldn't help but think it odd she seemed to have shrunk several inches over night. Either that or someone had enlarged her clothes while she was wearing them. Deciding she was just being dramatic she shook her head and reached out to take the letter from her friends extended hand. Moving towards the perch they called a window seat, she turned it over in her hands agreeing silently that she didn't recognise the seal either.

"I'm calling the bathroom before the guys get up," the other girl called drawing her attention. "Usual routine?" the routine was a plan they had developed after they had all moved back into Grimmauld Place together. Whichever one got the shower first would stay in the bathroom until the other came and went in for their daily shower. It annoyed everyone else no end but none were willing, for fear of Mrs Weasley's anger, to barge into the bathroom when either of them were in. It had turned into a small case of payback from not only Harry and Ron but for Ginny's twin brothers who had suggested the beginning of the pranks.

"Definitely, I'll be along in twenty minutes." Nodding her agreement, Ginny left the room holding her toiletries and the jeans and jumper she planned on wearing today. Perfect, Hermione thought, twenty minutes to peruse my mystery letter. Leaning back again the window she had just closed she carefully broke the seal and produced the single sheet of parchment contained within the envelope, her eyes widening with each word she read of the short note.

Drukal, Donry and Dunstal

176 Diagon Alley

Wizarding District

London

Dear Madam,

On this, they day of your one-ten and seventh birthday, we requested your presence at our offices to discuss the matter of your changing guardianship and the details of your now culminated and terminated adoption contract. Please arrive promptly at noon,

Yours

D. Donry, Partner.

Feeling not entirely sure that this was some kind of cruel joke, Hermione pulled herself away from her uncomfortable seat and raced out of her room, down the two flights of stairs and into the kitchen. Panting she looked around to see all eyes trained on her. Scanning the room, Fred and George sitting at the end of the table, Mr Weasley beside them reading the paper, Mrs Weasley leaning over his shoulder, Charlie two seats up, she finally landed on the person she was looking for. Ever since he had trained Hermione and her friends for their role in the Final Battle, Remus Lupin had become almost like a beloved uncle to her. Whenever she was unsure of something and in need of assistance, she called on him to help. Now was most definitely one of those times, and clearly understanding this Remus had stood and from his seat at the table and was moving towards her.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Remus asked in a gentle tone. It was rare people used gentle tones with her and this gave Hermione an indication of just how flustered she must look.

"Can I talk to you please? It's important," she answered still feeling all eyes on her.

"Of course," Remus answered leading her from the room ignoring the calls of Mrs Weasley that they best hurry back for Hermione's birthday breakfast. Hermione allowed herself to be lead by the hand of her shoulder, ending up in the room that had housed the Black family tree. This was not a room anyone entered without reason she knew, which should guarantee their privacy.

"I got this letter a few minutes ago," she said biting on her bottom lip once she had thrust the letter into his surprised hands. Remus was entirely confused, having no idea what could get the usually so composed girl into such a state. Hermione just continued to bit her lip and tugging on the top of her tank t-shirt top to pull it further up as she waited for him to finish with the letter. He quickly read the sparse words, reaching for him wand and casting several charms Hermione had never heard before on the letter. After he finished with that he looked down at her with a look of utmost confusion on his face, not at all helping the confusion the young witch was feeling herself. "Remus?"

"Her-.. it seems that this letter is legitimate Hermione," he answered. "What exactly that means is unclear, but I think it best you attend this meeting to fine out."

"Of course," she answered uncertainly despite her words. "Nothing for it but to find out and correct the mistake," she finished nodding.

"Would you like me to go with you? I wouldn't mind," Remus asked in the most soothing voice he could muster. The letter unsettled him, as did the reactions it was drawing from Hermione.

"No, no. I'll go myself. I'll just go and get changed quickly, it's almost eleven already," the end of the sentence called louder as she left the room and headed back up the room she shared with Ginny.

The next hour pasted in a daze for her, having her morning shower, dressing and leaving to come to 172 Diagon Alley. She had avoided answering any questions on where she was going, staying in the bathroom until she had no time other than that needed to dash to her room to get her jacket. Now here she was, entering the offices of Drukal, Donry and Dunstal, a prominent law firm if the signs were to be believed. Upon showing her letter she had quickly been rushed past the reception desk and into a large office. The only items in the room were the desk, the chair behind it and the one she was currently sitting on in front of the luxurious looking mahogany desk. It was the first wizarding room she had ever seen that was decorated in the minimalist style, usually they were stuffed to busting with ancient items of family value. This was modern, almost sterile, much like she had imagined a lawyer's office would be. Before she could analyse the decor too fully, a stark white door appeared in the wall just behind the desk. Wasting no time it opened to issue forth a severe looking wizard who looked to be ages with Professor McGonagall.

"Thank you for your punctuality, Miss. We have much to discuss and it is always best to begin on good terms," the man stated sitting in his seat and leaning his elbows upon his scattered paperwork. "I am Mr Donry and I handle all legal matters for your family."

Before he could continue, Hermione quickly interrupted. "Mr Donry, please excuse me but I think there has been some kind of mistake. My family, my muggle family, don't have any legal issues that would need dealt with in either world. I think this must all just be a mix up."

"No Miss, it is not," the wizard answered sharply. His dull brown eyes seemed to spark for a moment before once again fading. "Just listen and I shall explain the situation to you," he began quirking an eyebrow and continuing after she held her silence. "Upon your birth, your family placed you under an adoption contract. These are ancient contracts that were used by pureblood families who wished to no longer care for a child who was possibly a Squib. If they turned out to be magical they would be brought back into the family and the adoption dissolved. This was not the case for you however Miss. Your family were concerned due to the times in which they lived and you were born so they instigated the adoption contract. The stipulations of your specific contract were that you would remain unaware of the situation until your seventeenth year, when you were to be returned to your family. It was also stated that if it was concussively proved that the Dark Lord had been eliminated before your majority, we were to then begin the process of dissolving said contract. As the war has only been over for three weeks, the two events coincided nicely wouldn't you agree?

"No, not particularly," Hermione muttered absently. What was this man saying? This had nothing to do with her, she thought. As if sensing her growing disbelief Mr Donry continued, seemingly enjoying ripping the carpet out from under the young witch.

"Yes well that being as it may, I shall continue. Your family are anxious to have you returned to them, and as they are amongst the most loyal of our customers, we were able to hurry through the dissolving of the contract, allowing you to return to them tomorrow."

"TOMORROW! I- I don't understand. I am not adopted, I shall not be 'returning' to anyone!"

"Please remain calm, Miss," the lawyer stated in a deadpan voice. "Theatrics will be of no help. It has been clear to all others that you are not what you appear to be young Miss, why do you refuse to accept it? It is no matter of course, the contract is binding and whether of your own will or not, your magic will be forced to return here tomorrow to be reunited with your family. This meeting was scheduled only to allow you time to prepare yourself."

Realising that nothing more was going to be said, Hermione sat considering what she had heard. It sounded absolutely ludicrous! She was Hermione Granger and always had been. Even as she thought it, she could feel that it was not the truth. She felt as if her own magic were calling out for her to understand, to accept the situation and embrace it with open arms. Regardless of her Gryffindor status however Hermione was not one to rush into something without first thinking it through. Schooling her face into as neutral an expression as she could muster, she turned to the man who had shattered her reality and asked who her family were. She was certain they were a pureblood family having listened to his explanation of the contract, but past that no family came to mind. Please, just not Death Eaters was the only thought running through her vast mind as she awaited a response.

"Ah, I was curious as to when you would ask that question. You belong to one of the oldest Pureblood families of England," he replied leaving no doubt that his pureblood was delivered with a capital. She merely raised an eyebrow and gave a subtle hand gesture waiting for him to continue. "I cannot tell you anymore today sadly. The answers you seek you will receive tomorrow. Please arrive just as today." Having finished all he intended to say, the elderly wizard stood, turned and excited via the door behind his chair. Hermione was left speechless, completely confused and overwhelmed.

Later when asked she could not remember how she had made it home, only that she had. It wasn't until she reached the door of Grimmauld Place, Number 12 that she regained some awareness of her surroundings. Pushing the door open just enough for her to creep inside, she slowly walked inside and followed the path of the hallway. It was much changed from how it had been her first summer here before her fifth year. It still seemed to have a sinister undercurrent, but the walls were now a brightening magnolia and all the Black family portraits had been relegated to the top floor. Hermione took no notice of any of this however as she exited the hallway, walking straight past the bustling kitchen and straight up the stairs. Not hearing the many calling her name to her retreating back, she walked the two flights she had rushed down earlier in the day and entered her shared bedroom. Moving past Ginny's still unmade bed which was closer to their door, she sat heavily on her own crisply made one. Time seemed to have no effect on her as she sat, staring at her hands tightly clutching the smart grey skirt she had worn for the meeting. So when soft scarred hands reached for her own, her head snapped up rapidly in her surprise only to meet the soft gaze of Remus Lupin. Behind him she could see her friends, her family, gathered in the doorway. Each looked concerned, Harry and Ron more so than the rest. It was difficult for them to see the girl they had relied upon as their rock for six years look so utterly broken. Pulling all of her usual composer to her Hermione managed a single small smile in the direction of her friends before her attention was drawn back to Remus.

"Hermione, what happened? Are you okay?" he asked seeing that he had her focus.

"I went to the meeting," she began looking up to see if the others understood what she was speaking of. At their confused looks she saw that Remus had told them nothing and wasn't sure if she was relieved by that fact or not. Maybe for now she could keep this situation to herself. Seeing her reluctant, Remus turned to all other residents of the house and asked if they could be left alone. Many seemed reluctant but with the continuing stare of a protective werewolf directed there way, it wasn't long before they complied. When they were alone again Hermione continued. "It's true, what the letter said. I'm adopted."

"I'm sorry Hermione," he replied softly giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "I had thought it may be true after the letter proved to be genuine. This does not devalue what you have had all your life Hermione. Your parents still love you, that was and is still your life." At that the young girl ducked her head but not before the tears leaking from the soft brown eyes had been stopped. Moving forward to sit on her bed Remus reached his arms around her hugging her tightly to him as she sobbed.

"They're purebloods Remus," she stuttered out between her cries. "Something about an adoption contract and the end of the war and that they want me back now." Remus just continued to hold her tightly, processing what little she had said and waiting for her to calm down. It took almost fifthteen minutes before her crying finally ended and another few until she was composed enough to move away from the arms comforting her. She did not like to appear weak in front of others, a result she guessed of always feeling she had to be the sensible one amongst her friends. "Thank you," she muttered embarrassed. "I don't know what came over me, I've gotten your jumper all wet."

"It's no problem Hermione," Remus replied chuckling. "Do you feel up to talking about it?"

"I think we better, maybe you'll understand it better than me," she replied immediately beginning a detailed recount of her encounter with Mr Donry. Being accustomed to how Remus liked to digest information, to lay it all out neatly in his mind, before providing any response Hermione sat quietly.

Clearing his throat Remus interrupted the silence. "I have heard of the adoption contract. Sirius knew quite a lot about it, it was used a few times in recent Black history. The children ended up having magical talent however so were brought back into the family. I believe it was used on his grandfather on his mother's side. I'm not positive on that however," he said looking thoughtful. "If it is the same contract and the conditions were as you said then I know you will be compelled to fully them through."

"But I haven't signed anything! This is nothing to do with me!"

"I'm sorry Hermione, but it is. If your parents created this contract then there is nothing you can do to get out of it. I agree with you that it is a pureblood family, but who I am having trouble theorising."

"Me to," Hermione said looking dejected. "Donry said that one of the conditions was proof that Voldemort had been destroyed. That bodes well doesn't it?"

"Umm, yes I suppose," he answered being careful in his word choice. Clearly he was not entirely convinced but did not want to destroy the hopeful expression on the girls face. "It could be one of the light sided families, or even a neutral."

"You don't think so though," she replied astutely.

"I don't know Hermione. They are as likely solutions as the other I have in mind. We can be almost certain that it is none of the inner circle of Death Eaters who are your parents. They would not want to protect a child but pledge them, as you well know. Others, more on the fringes might have taken the path your parents chose. It would help if we knew to better prepare you for tomorrow," he mused. Both brains in the room took off at that, wondering on a way in which they could discover who had given the girl up. "A Paternity Charm!"

"A what?"

"It's a charm that used to be popular. Used on anyone it gives the name of their biological parents," Remus explained. "You don't need to do it if you-"

"No I'll do it," Hermione interrupted firmly. "Do you know the spell?"

"No but every Auror does. It takes two to perform the spell. Would you mind if two of the Order Aurors did it? I don't know how long it would take me and another to learn the spell."

"No of course not," she replied. "Is Kingsley here? And Tonks?" Replying that both were here Remus walked to the door quickly and called for them both. "Do you think I'll have to explain all this or will they just do it?"

"I imagine they will just do it," he answered. "After it is done, they might have some questions." Before she could reply the two in question can into view on the landing and walked towards the open bedroom door. As soon as they were through it Remus shut it quickly, adding what looked like silencing spells to the door. "Thanks for coming you two," Remus said with a smile. He sat down again beside the trembling girl indicating with his hand that the other two should sit opposite them on the other bed. It was a rather small room and the space between the beds was small meaning they were all rather close together. Hermione found it rather reassuring.

"What's this all about Remy?" Tonks asked looking between the two in front of her. "Everyone is just freaking out not knowing what's going on."

"I need you both to do a charm on me," Hermione answered bravely looking back and forth between the two. Tonks looked even more confused and Kingsley merely raised one dark brow. "The Paternity Charm."

As soon as she had uttered the name of the spell Kingsley's professional mask fell into place. Tonks on the other had looked as if her jaw would need to be wired shut if it ever hoped to close again. Her hair had turned bright yellow due to her shock at the name. Before she could vocalise the shock her partner gave her a sharp elbow to the ribs, causing her to turn and look at him. Seeing his mask in place hers quickly fell over her face also and they both turned and nodded to the other pair.

"You'll have to move away from Lupin there," Kingsley said as he stood with Tonks following. "Don't want the charm confused you see. Over here by the window if you would Hermione." Standing to, Hermione moved over to the seat that she had occupied earlier in the day. Before she had read that stupid letter that had changed everything. A large part of her still hoped that the spell would prove that this was all a mix up. A mistake. An even bigger part of her wanted to run and hide refusing to acknowledge that she wasn't who she had always known herself to be. Before she could sink to far into the confusing mess that was her mind she felt the tickle of magic against her skin. Looking up she saw both the Aurors facing her with their wands drawn and pointed at her.

"You ready Mione?"Tonks asked and receive a small, uncertain nod in return. Looking to Kingsley to make sure they were both ready, she began her half of the complicated wand movements that would allow the charm to work. Both Aurors worked in unison for several seconds and Hermione found her gaze drawn to Remus who was silently standing behind them. Seeing her attention on him he gave a small smile.

"Right we're ready here," Kingsley said as both he and Tonks stopped moving their wands. "We need to take turns saying a few spells and after we say all the ones we need the information will appear in front of us. Off we go." Wasting no time and waiting for no response he raised his wand again and said the first spell, "Ostendo Matris."

"Ostendo Abbas"

"Ostendo ortus nomen"

"Ostendo cognomen"

"Ostendo sum quis est occultus," Kingsley finished and both Aurors again began a complex pattern with their wands. This one however was much quicker and after a few seconds a pale pink fog seemed to appear between the Aurors and Hermione. The fog quickly shaped itself into several names, each appearing below each other. After four lines had appeared Hermione again felt magic rush over her skin, this time much stronger. It felt as though every part of her was being touched by the gentle heat of magic. She basked in it, accepting the loving feeling the magic was bestowing upon her. It ended quickly though and the witch opened eyes that she did not even realise she had closed move and stand by the two casters of the spell. Once beside them she turned and stared transfixed at the words floating in the air, not realising that the others in the room were staring at her. Her brain could not seem to process the words staring her in the face as she read them over and over again,

Matris Cassiopeia Pucey nee Black

Abbas Aden Adrianus Pucey

Andromeda Adrienne

Most Ancient and Noble House of Pucey.