"You're just like Aunt Tammy," Hermione spoke quietly, her voice betraying the hurt she tried to hide. "You can only manipulate me so many times. Just like Mum said, under that pretty face, you're nothing but mean!"

AU. When Hermione returns from the summer leading into third year, she's differnt. She's cold, distant and manipulative. She's unforgiving, yet, she defends escaped criminal Black. Why? And, why is Hermione meeting with Snape and Lupin once a week? T.