A/N Hey guys. It's me again. Thank you to all who have reviewed and stayed with me through the very trying process of writing. Thank you to all those who have reviewed. I know this story won't disappoint you. I've been working on this for MONTHS. All of this is my plot line and my story. I hope you like it. Some of the events concerning the murder were taken out of history. That, I do not own. Nor do I wish to.
P.S. This is unbeta'd.
Summary: Hermione doesn't remember her life as a child. All she has is the memory of a man with a long silver beard giving the order for a group of madmen to kill her parents. Hermione thinks that when she goes out into the forbidden forest at night, she is meeting with the man who killed her parents. But is he? All she has to go on is his silk black cloak and a name. A name of Tom Riddle. But is it all really as it seems? In this story of twists and turns, join Hermione, as she discovers who this man is…and who really murdered her parents.
Chapter One: The Beginning
Arthur's POV
Night descended upon our mansion as my family sat in the living room. My beautiful wife was round with our second child and her smile radiated throughout the room as she sat down on the floor and bounced Hermione, our giggling two year old, in her lap.
I watched as pale skin complemented the glow of olive and ivory. Our daughter's Cinnamon eyes smiled into my wife's dark ruby. I watched as gold ringlets entwined around silken vipers of my wife's inky black hair. The flickering crackling flames of orange, yellow, and red gave the faces of my two favorite girls an ethereal glow.
And for a moment, I could see into the future. I felt luckier than most father's would. Hermione would be positively stunning as a young woman. And no doubt all in Slytherin would flock to her like moths to flame. That very same recognition was why I wanted her bonded to Tom. I didn't want to have the responsibility of chasing off every boy who came within five meters of her. I wanted her to chase them off instead.
But negative thought gave into positive as I realized that someday, my daughter would have a life like mine. She would live in a house like this one. She would inherit all we own. She would have children of her own and Tom would be there to help provide. And I relaxed further into my high backed leather wing chair with my happy thoughts.
That is, until a knock interrupted the laughter that my wife Celestine, and Hermione were currently sharing together.
I saw our curious two year old look in the direction of the door. She than proceeded to crawl out of my wife's lap and stand up, a new feat our two year old had learned. And she began to walk towards the wooden door. The repetitive sound of knocking again reached my ears. Whoever it was, they were being very impatient.
Smirking Ruby eyes found mine. "Um, I think we need to get that."
"I'll get it."
I left my beautiful wife for just a moment and walked towards the broken record sound of knocking at the front door. And I saw Hermione had formed her hand into a child's fist and was knocking at the door with her head cocked. So the mystery person at the door wasn't impatient after all. Apparently, Hermione had learned a new skill. She turned around when she saw me and she beamed and held out her little hands for me to pick her up.
I picked up the jubilant child and her voice was as the tinkling of bells as she exclaimed "I knock!"
"Yes Hermione, you did. Good job. Let daddy answer the door now, ok?"
"Me help?"
"Yes Hermione. You can help."
Together we both turned the golden knob to open the door.
It was always a rarity to see a Slytherin laughing. Even more surprising was exactly who was laughing.
I stood stock still, surprised to find Tom Riddle standing in the doorway. Patience was not exactly a virtue of Slytherins. Me and wife both knew that. And yet, there he was, the picture perfect man for my daughter to marry. Powerful, intelligent, and kind. And of course, very structured. And the most important thing, was that I knew that Hermione liked him. And she did of course. Very much.
"Tom!"
"Hermione, look who's here."
But Hermione was already trying to struggle from my arms to get into his. She would abandon me, just like that, for him. And she wasn't even a teen yet! Finally, when she realized I wouldn't let her go, she broke. And my father's heart splintered to pieces as I watched.
Her face was drawn. Not just defeated but torn, like she'd been shattered. It was like a part of her had been ripped away when I refused to let her go to him.
Her cinnamon eyes went the deepest shade of brown and tears leaked from her eyes, and a small whimpering sound escaped her soft voice.
"Hermione, would you like Tom to hold you?"
My favorite smile lit her face up like the sun that she already so despised. "Tom!" But my heart ached in an entirely different way as she looked at him.
I handed my baby girl over to Tom who took her in his arms with a greedy joyous look. Already they were great friends. And she couldn't even talk yet!
"So, you learned to knock today?"
"I knock!"
He laughed. "So, has your daughter learned anything or showed any interest in anything new yet?"
"She gets fascinated by everything every single day. We actually think she is currently trying to learn to read. Every day she goes up into our private library and will study very hard on words in huge books. You'd be proud. She seems to go after the incredibly long chapter books. Pictures annoy her unless they are hanging on a wall."
Tom was quiet for a moment and I had a feeling he was looking through our daughters mind. My suspicions were confirmed when he gasped and a smile spread across his face as he muttered 'ingenious.'
He smiled. "Would you mind me tutoring her and teaching her the basic things I know?"
"Of course not Tom. That would be fantastic. I would love for her to be ahead of the class."
He smirked. "So would I."
"So, I must ask, the fact that you have showed up here is quite a surprise. Despite the fact that tonight is the night of the ceremony, shouldn't you be away from here planning your attack?"
"I've already planned it. My deatheaters are performing a trial run for me. They will report to me, when they return, of the successfullness of their venture."
"Hmm. I must say, don't approve of the method you are planning to use in taking over the world, perse. But, if anyone should be able to lead us in the right direction, it would be you."
"Thank you sir. That means a lot."
"Oh, pish posh with the sir talk. Call me Arthur. You've known me long enough by now that I think you have earned that right."
Heels clicked on the floor of the marble halls and I was overjoyed yet dismayed at the reminder of what tonight held.
Celestine had changed because this was the night of the ceremony that would bond Hermione and Tom forever. Now we just had wait for two things. His deatheaters and midnight.
Her silky voice rang out in the grand hall. "So Tom, are you staying for dinner?"
He seemed genuinely delighted. And like always, I was shocked that he held no attraction for my vampiric wife. "I would love to stay for dinner, that is, if you will have me? I do not wish to impose."
"Not at all. We would be delighted."
"Excellent. So you will be over for dinner and of course I would assume your deatheaters as well, Tom?"
"Oh no Arthur. Now that would be asking too much." His eyes were a little troubled and he cast an anxious glance at Hermione. But I'd seen the deatheaters around Tom. They all had excellent behavior.
Celestine nodded and genuinely smiled at Tom. But if the deatheaters were out working for Tom than I knew they'd be ravenous if they didn't eat before the ceremony. And there was nothing worse than a room of growling stomachs.
"No. It's no trouble at all. I'll just wake up the house elves."
I could tell Celestine disapproved of my decision. But why?
"Nagini!"
My attention was drawn to the great snake on the floor. I'd seen my fair share of snakes in my time, being in Slytherin. But I still preferred birds. Snakes and their wise eyes made me uncomfortable. Bu I was the only one in the room who shared the sentiment.
My wife adored snakes, Hermione was enamored with them, and Tom was the heir of Slytherin. So I kept my thoughts to myself.
"Oh, it seems Hermione has found your, erm, snake."
"That certainly seems to be the case. Hermione, do you wish to play with Nagini?"
I watched apprehensively as the Snake's forked tongue reached out to lick Hermione's cheek. It was like some travesty of a pet dog. But this was what Nagini always did. I'd watched them play many times before. Nagini had never bitten Hermione. But just because I was used to the snake and the fact that Voldemort was a parselmouth, didn't mean that I had to like it.
"And as per usual, I am to trust that it will not bite her?"
"I don't even have to order her to refrain from biting our little one. I would never harm Hermione. No matter what. And neither will Nagini. She is connected to me deeper than the blood that runs through my bones."
I liked the way he said 'our'. She may be his bond mate but she was still my daughter. And I already felt like I was losing her as it was. It made me feel better that at least he respected my control over Hermione.
A succulent voice rang out across the marble hall. "Be that the case, maybe Hermione should adopt Nagini." Celestine gestured her chin to the floor where Hermione was touching Nagini's teeth. Than she looked up at me, smiled, and winked.
"Pretty."
Tom sat down beside her cross legged as she played. I watched as the great snake slid between their palms. Hermione looked at the snake than looked at Tom. She began to per his hair as she had pet the snake and he smiled at her warmly. "Pretty."
"You Hermione, are very, very pretty. Would you like to go and play the piano now?"
Her eyes lit up like someone had set them on fire."Play! Play!"
"Yes Tom, it has been far too long."
"Upon your insistence milady, I shall do as you request." I watched as he made a bow to my wife.
"Oh Tom, I am flattered. Please, you simply must play."
And I watched as he sat Hermione on his lap and his fingers sped across the ivory and ebony keys. I looked from Hermione to Tom. Tom lost in the music and Hermione utterly fascinated. She would most certainly make a wonderful musician.
"Maybe you should teach her how to play Tom?" I suggested. After all, we were all musically gifted.
"Of course. Hermione these are the keys on the piano. They begin in this order..."
Celestine's POV
I watched as Tom showed our daughter to play the piano. I understood every word, having already learned this myself thousands of years ago, but he had a way of making everything seem new, as if you had never heard it before. My daughter, who soaked up information like a sea sponge, hung on his every word. They were so perfect together. I could easily see that they had excellent chemistry. Ah, if only the deatheaters would never be involved in her life, they would be the absolute perfect couple.
Because even though Hermione and Tom were meant to be together and I had no objections whatsoever, I did not like the fact that Hermione would have to spend time around the deatheaters. They were far more than an unruly lot. They were dangerous!
Maybe not dangerous to Tom. But certainly to Hermione, who was still just a baby. Just a precious little toddler! That was why I was angry when my husband suggested the deatheaters stay for dinner. And I was thankful that Tom seemed to have the wit to know that the deatheaters were dangerous too. I wasn't happy that my husband was being so light about this.
I poked my head around the corner to watch Tom continue to teach Hermione. And he told Hermione to play the keys he had showed her and name them off as she played them. Hermione had always been a bright little thing, a true genius. But now she was starting show a capacity for learning that neither me nor Arthur had ever seen. It was truly amazing to watch her learn. And even more amazing to watch her apply the knowledge she had learned.
That was when I saw the orange and red flames turn emerald. And my heart froze with fear. Who had ever been scared of a flame?
Voldemort's POV
They came out of the fireplace one by one, their black robes swirling about them. Once in formation, they all stood stiff, silent, still, and cold, never once breaking their perfect arrangement of bodies, waiting for their next command. I could feel shock coming from each deatheater as they registered the fact that I was playing with a mere toddler. Their thoughts ran through my head and I wished for a moment that I wasn't a natural legilimens. Their thoughts were annoying.
Why is he playing with a child?
Is she his daughter?
Will she be the next dark lord? No...that's dark queen...
What is special about her that has caught his attention? Everyone that is special is someone he always wants. But if she is special than why so young?
I love her hair.
She has the prettiest eyes. And the kindest face.
I can't wait to teach her potions. Obviously the child has an amazing intellect.
I looked over at Snape and nodded my head, showing my appreciation of his thoughts. I always liked listening to his thoughts because they so closely reflected mine. I most certainly approved of Snape. And if anything were to ever happen to me...I would want him to be with her in my stead. He would make her almost as happy as I would.
I nodded to my wife and, as gracious a host as she always was, Celestine made the announcement for dinner.
"Come, let us go to the dining hall. Our food is waiting."
Arthur's POV
Tom had great command of his deatheaters. I had never seen another person with such great power as he had, for such perfection amongst people was rare. And yet, he controlled each of them with the utmost ease. I was shocked with the grace and air of dominance that he held over them. If I could be anymore impressed, I would be.
Voldemort's POV
I had led by example many times and this instance was no different. I held an air of prestige, showing my deatheaters that this was no time for acting like a fool. With my actions and kind words, I dictated that these were friends to us. But the way I spoke gave the impression to my deatheaters that these were very powerful friends. And they were indeed, there was no mistaking.
I had gotten used to huge mansions since I had been sorted into Slytherin. But none that I had seen were as beautiful as this one. The outside was a fortress. The design borrowing back to a more Victorian Goth century. The style itself nearly as extinct as the house. I liked the thorns and roses enveloped over black brick. And the shingles on the roof were made of an even deeper black stone. Ivy and dead trees grew around us and gave the house a forbidding taste. And willows were interspersed around the yard.
But the inside was what I enjoyed the most.
The furniture would cost more than the whole of the Malfoy Mansion. Most would say that the Malfoy Mansion had the best furniture. No. I knew the truth behind it. Some of it was real. Some of it was cheap. Some of it was enchanted to give the feel of old magick. It was nothing. It was sickening. It was degrading compared to this. That was NO comparison to this.
Each detail had been so perfectly carved and worked on to the Nth degree. And there was no mistake to be found. No piece of furniture in this house that didn't belong. I enjoyed the tone of the deep green wood the covered the walls. I enjoyed that the house was interspersed with gold knobs instead of silver. As I felt personally that the gold complemented the green even more.
We were lead into the dining room by our hosts and as usual, I was sat by Hermione. Her food had already been cut up and her perfect white little teeth bit into the meat with great enjoyment. Even at such a young age, she showed grace and prestige.
I watched as she sat up straight in her high chair and used her golden utensils to pick up the food. Yes, she would most certainly be a leader amongst Slytherins. And I was overjoyed that I would forever be alive to see it with the death of Potter.
The chandelier hung from the ceiling. Diamonds and gold interwoven into the most beautiful, intricate carving I had ever seen. The only piece of decor that would be worth more than this fine delicacy was Slytherin's Locket, which was currently hidden in a location that only I knew.
Our choice for this night's meal was an exquisite Italian cuisine that Hermione seemed to enjoy just as much as I. She seemed to have very refined taste for a two year old. Many of my deatheaters were sharing this same sentiment.
The conversations interspersed with the sounds of scrapes of golden culery upon golden plates. And the conversation itself ranged from Hermione to the ruling of the wizarding world and the philosophyh's I would be putting forth. That was when severus spoke up for the first time that night.
"The food has been excellently prepared and I must say, I revere the beauty of your home in its entirety."
"Why thank you. And might I ask your name? It is not everyday I meet a gentleman such as yourself.."
"I am Severus Snape milady."
"Ah yes. You come from a very powerful background. I have known your family for centuries. I will soon explain what I mean to you when the time is right."
"You have piqued my interest milady. If my intellect serves me right, I would be correct in thinking that the phrase you used not only a second ago would allude to the fact that you have been alive for a very long time."
"Your intellect serves you well. But next time, do feel free to say what you must Severus. I am not insulted or ashamed at my vampirism. I was born this way and born this way I shall remain until my days are utterly spent."
"Milady, what of your daughter?"
She froze. "You think she could be...?"
"Not only just a vampire but a witch as well. Look."
And sure enough, when I broke away from the interesting conversation, Hermione was making a golden spoon float. With my wand!
"Bravo Hermione! Bravo!"
The deatheaters followed my lead. Whistles could be heard up and down the table. And Hermione's parent's beamed with pride. And at four corners of Hermione's mouth were pearly razor sharp teeth. Severus had been correct. Hermione was a vampire.
I was curious as to how her parents had not noticed and how Severus could. Maybe love blinded them to what they didn't want to see? But how would Severus notice in the first place?
I looked across the table into the troubled black eyes of the man who was staring at my would be bond mate. His eyes held nothing but reverence and respect, as they should. But they also held a touch of...protectiveness? Did he not know it was my job alone to protect her? She had no shield yet. Nor had she need of one.
The main conversation broke out into individual discussions. But I kept my mouth closed and watched. He was still staring at her as dinner neared it's end.
I looked away from Severus and towards our hosts who nodded in recognition of my unspoken question. It was time.
"If you will all follow me, the bonding ritual shall begin."
A/N Tell me what you thought. Did you like it? Those of you who read my stories know my rules. No reviews? No new chapters.
