A Change in Heart

This year was going to be an entirely new and different experience for Hermione Granger altogether. As she finished packing her bags for Hogwarts, a snow white owl flew in swiftly through her window.

"Hedwig!" Hermione exclaimed, "Here let me get that off you." Hermione swiftly strode over to her oak desk where the owl was pecking at the letter. Clearly, it was from Harry. She curiously unfolded a wrinkled piece of parchment and hoped everything was all right.

Hermione,

I just got to the Burrow last night and Ron wants to know if you'd like to come over as well for the last week of break. Let me guess, you're prefect, right? Well congratulations, we knew you'd get it. Ron, on the other hand, is still wondering exactly what made Dumbledore pick him for prefect. So, we hope to see you soon, or else at the station.

~ Harry

Hermione quickly scribbled a note back saying that she would see them at the station and sent the owl on its way. Usually she would have loved to go to the burrow to spend some time with the Weasleys and Harry. In fact, she wanted to go there right that moment if it was not for what had happened over the summer. She wasn't too thrilled about explaining the situation to Harry and Ron sooner than she had to.

What will they think when they find out what Dumbledore wants me to do. I bet Harry will be excited and so will Ron. But... In deep thought, Hermione dropped down with a heavy sigh on her bed. She was known to be critical and calculating to her friends, but she wanted to be sure she knew what she was getting into.

Hermione took one last look at the papers, making sure she hadn't missed anything. She was to be disguised as a Slytherin this year. Her new name would be Jessica Lavoy and she had transferred from Beauxbatons School of Wizardry. Those were just the main points, but the profile went on for another nine pages identifying relatives, friends, background, childhood, and so much more.

A couple of weeks ago Dumbledore had sent her a letter explaining that the Order of the Phoenix needed an undercover student in the Slytherin House to get inside information. The next day Dumbledore had actually come in person to further explain what was happening in Hogwarts this year. Because many Death Eaters have been returning to the Dark Side, main supporters need to be identified. The Headmaster continued on to say that she would be perfect for the job since they needed her intelligence and resourcefulness to get results.

Hermione had eagerly agreed but the more she thought about it the worse her decision felt. Well at least I'll finally get to help the Order, but what about my life as me?! What am I saying? I always wanted to be able to help defeat Voldemort, and now I can finally do something of use so why am I being so selfish? "Ugh, how am I going to do all of this?" Hermione cried out in frustration. As she got up abruptly, she almost knocked over her floor lamp. "Now I have to spend my time with a bunch of snobby little Slytherin brats! I'll be leading two lives, as if it isn't hard enough to have one." She groaned once more and slumped onto a chair. I'll worry about it when I get there. Why am I spending my time complaining when I have packing to do? And what about my other problem...How am I going to explain this to Harry and Ron, AND that I'm not prefect!?

* * *

The next day Hermione woke with a throbbing headache. I can't keep all this to myself for another day or I'll surely go insane. I'd better tell Harry and Ron soon and get it over with. She scribbled a quick note but fell upon yet another problem. To be exact she remembered that she didn't have an owl. I've already gone crazy! Well I hope they don't mind me dropping in like this but... Hey, they'll understand. Hermione picked up the bags she had already packed yesterday and hurried downstairs to ask her parents if she could go to the Burrow.

Hermione rubbed her eyes and sat down in a chair next to her dad. Like usual he was reading the Daily Prophet, in attempt to get to know his daughter's world. As he was a muggle he was fascinated by the magical world that he had never known of before. Every time he saw a picture with moving people or Hermione using her wand to do everyday chores he would be spellbound.

"Ahem," Hermione cleared her throat rather loudly. When she got her dad's attention away from Rita Skeeter's column she eagerly began "Ron invited me over to the Burrow for the rest of vacation, mind if I leave dad?"

"Oh, you mean the kind freckled wizarding family?" Mr. Granger beamed warmly, "Yes, sure, hon. It would be best to tell them your little undercover job before the school year starts, so why not."

Hermione knew her parents didn't really take Voldemort and the Death Eaters as seriously as they should have since they were muggles, but she had no intention of worrying them even more. She grinned, giving her dad a quick hug, and ran to the kitchen to grab breakfast. Pouring herself some Cheerios she felt comforted to know she would be seeing her best friends in a few minutes.

"Hermione, did you pack everything you need yet?" inquired her dad as he sat at the table across from her.

"Mmph," Hermione swallowed and replied, "Yep! Everything is all set and ready to go. I'll be sure to send you and mom plenty of letters and maybe come over during Christmas Break dad."

"Alright, and I suppose you'll be using floo powder?" Hermione shook her head and continued eating, "Well have fun and be careful. I know you'll make us proud."

"Yea, dad, I'll be fine. Well I better get going, bye dad."

"Bye dear."

Hermione ran upstairs, dying to see Ron, Harry, and Ginny soon. Maybe things will go better than I expect this year. I bet I could easily find out what those snakes are hiding. Although she knew it wasn't going to be anywhere near easy Hermione didn't mind being optimistic for once. She threw the floo powder into the fireplace. It soon turned a fiery red then a sapphire blue and she hopped in feeling the flames engulf her and her head feeling lighter and lighter. Everything went out of focus as she plummeted into an endless dark pit.