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Chapter 2: Darkness is Rising

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Draco looked at the silvery blonde haired girl sitting across from him. He knew so little about this new Hermione.

'Hermione...' Draco started, causing Hermione to look up from her parchment.

'Yeah?'

'Er... How is it that you're... well... a pureblood now... I mean... Did you wander off from your parents when you were little or something, and the Grangers adopted you?'

Hermione smiled.

'No... The 'old coot' as you affectionately call him took me away from the Avery's when I was young... just after the Dark Lord fell. He then gave me to the grangers, and they raised me... but... now that he is regaining strength... well... My real parents came and smote the muggles that took me...'

'Right... So... How are those notes on torturing curses coming?' Draco looked back down at the book he was reading.

'Good... Hey Draco,'

'Hmm...' Draco looked up.

'Does the dark lord like you or something? Cause I could have sworn he smiled at you...' Hermione stated bluntly.

Draco looked shocked.

'You think he's noticed? I've been gelling my hair back in a different way, and I got new shoes! You like?'

'Alright! Jeeze! No Need to get sarcastic!' Hermione looked across at the smirking Draco, and grinned.

To any bystander, it was hard to believe that less than an hour ago, these two were mortal enemies.

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Voldemort paced his chamber, thinking about his daunting task ahead.

If he failed in his quest to become immortal, to be come indestructible... Who was to take his place when he perished?

'The Malfoy's have a pure blood line... and Young Draco has some talent... some potential... But who is he to co-rule with?' Voldemort muttered.

As if to answer his question, Draco came running into his chamber, tailed by Hermione.

'My Lord! There is something... a few things I thought you might like to know... Miss. Avery has enlightened me with useful information...' Draco panted.

'Go on...'

'Hermione...'

'Well... Draco showed me a few books on some curses and torturing spells, and I found two very interesting ones...'

'Yes...'

'With further research, I discovered that if we combine these two curses, we can create a very useful curse that not only allows us to know if a person is lying, BUT it also hurts them when they do. The severity of the pain lets us know how far off the truth they are...'

'Very interesting... can you show me some proof to back this statement up?'

'Very well my lord... but I'll need a test subject...'

'WORMTAIL!' Voldemort hollered, causing the two 16yr olds in front of him to jump with shock.

A mousy faced man ran quickly into the chamber, bowing low.

'Yes my lord?'

'Hermione, start...'

'leatus Prohibitem' Hermione waved her wand, and started interrogating Peter.

'I'm now going to ask you a series of questions, and every second one, I want you to Lie. Understand?'

'Yes...' pain soared through Wormtail's body, and the skin on his face glowed blue.

'He's lying...' Hermione stated bluntly, 'but, only slightly. The closer the colour is to green, the closer it is to the truth. If the colour is a deep scarlet, then he's blatantly lying...'

'Excellent... continue...' Voldemort clapped his hands.

'Is your name Peter Pettigrew?'

' Yes...' Peter stayed normal.

'Did you attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?'

'No,' Peter glowed Red and his screams echoed throughout the chamber. This greatly pleased Voldemort.

Hermione continued her interrogation, showing Voldemort the different shades of truth and the variations of pain until finally, she stopped.

'Are you satisfied, my lord?'

'Yes Hermione... you are a great addition to my people... but tell me... what two curses did you combine?'

'Quite simple really, the crutacious... and the truth telling curse!' Hermione grinned widely.

'Brilliant... Mr. Malfoy... continue your tutorage... I think we can expect many promising things from both of you...'

'Thankyou my lord...' the two turned on heel, and continued off to the library.

'You didn't tell him the location of the Order of the Phoenix!' Draco muttered to Hermione.

'I know... the thought only just occurred to me that since Black died, the headquarters could have been re-located... I can find out when we get to Hogwarts... remember... Potty, Weasel and The coot still think I'm their faithful, Light sided Hermione...'

'A fateful Mistake...' Draco smirked, and the two entered the pine doors of the library.

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Yeah, I know... Short chapter...

!c3 Pr!nc3s$