"You!" Bellatrix shrieked as soon as Voldemort had left the room with Snape, making the hair on the back of Hermione's neck stand up. The dark-haired witch stood from her chair and advanced towards Hermione. Hermione was shaking visibly, unsure of what the unstable witch would do with her, but she was pretty sure it would be bad based on their past interactions. She knew there was no point in running away when the room and the house was filled with Death Eaters. When the black-haired woman stood in front of her finally, Bellatrix wrapped her arms around the quivering girl and quietly said, "You are the reason I got to marry my Rodolphus," she cooed into Hermione's ear.
"I-I am sorry, I don't understand," Hermione stuttered out, even her voice trembling in fear. She wasn't sure what Bellatrix was on about, and she wasn't entirely sure that she wanted to find out either.
"You made my father promise to allow me to marry whomever I choose. So I was able to marry my Rodolphus," Bellatrix explained, simply, giving her what was supposed to be an innocent smile, but it seemed somehow evil to Hermione. "I am going to make you my pet! Come on, let me show you to your room."
The older witch took Hermione by the hand and pulled her from the room. Hermione looked back helplessly to see if anyone else was confused by Bellatrix's behavior, but none of the other Death Eaters seemed to pay much mind to it. Hermione had to just keep reminding herself that Bellatrix couldn't harm her. That was part of the deal with Voldemort.
They walked up the stairs to the six level, the top level of the house. Bellatrix lead her towards the very back of the house and opened the door. Hermione's face contorted into a smiling grimace when she saw what was inside. It was the same bedroom that she had at Hogwarts, with a cheery fire bustling in the hearth. The walls were blue and she had her little desk and the fabulous, fluffy bed that was a little bit like a nest. It did have something that Hogwarts didn't - A huge window overlooking the lush, green courtyard.
It was so familiar to Hermione that she almost cried. It was such a change from her room at Grimmauld Place, which had been transformed into her prison cell, with it's bare and sparse walls. After living in the past for less than a year, this room seemed like home.
Seeing the tears welling at the corners of Hermione's eyes, Bellatrix smiled at her encouragingly. "The Dark Lord permitted me to redecorate for you once I heard of your arrival," she explained.
Hermione was unexpectedly touched by the gesture, though she didn't understand what Bellatrix's motives were. She was talking to her in her baby voice that she used when taunting someone, but the older witch seemed so sincere. Unwilling to cry in front of the Death Eater, Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thank you."
"Of course, pet," Bellatrix said with a sigh, pushing her wild, black hair over her shoulder. "Well, you should settle in for the night. You have a big day of lessons tomorrow," she instructed, sounding almost motherly, before exiting the room, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.
Hermione flopped back against the bed, feeling suddenly like she couldn't catch her breath. She couldn't believe that she had actually left the protection of the Order, something that she never would have considered before they'd betrayed her trust. She couldn't take the stares and the mean words when she was around her old friends. Even worse was the deafening silence when they would leave her alone for hours at a time. It was painful to know that they thought so little of her, when she'd only been trying to help them. She couldn't live like that for the rest of her life, untrusted and forgotten, shoved away in her bedroom with only Kreacher to speak to.
But truthfully, that wasn't the only reason she left. She knew that Tom Riddle had at least cared for her now. She'd been surprised to learn that it was his soul after all that she had interacted with, and she wasn't going to forget the way that he'd behaved when she'd been in the Diary. She remembered the looks he would give her, the way that she'd changed the course of his life. Voldemort was decidedly more dangerous, but Hermione wondered if she could change him again. Perhaps she'd make him see that feelings didn't make one weak.
She felt fresh tears come to her eyes. Would things ever be normal for her? Nothing could ever be the same again because she had loved the wrong person. Now she was carrying his child. She had shunned the rest of the wizarding world when she left the Order. The people who were supposed to be her friends. The people who were supposed to support her.
Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she gasped to see Nagini slither in from a hole in the baseboard, what she imagined was once inhabited by mice. "What is wrong? I could smell your tears," the snake hissed to her.
She was still surprised by her ability to understand the snake, wondering if Harry had felt the same. "I am just realizing that things will never be normal for me again. I've just realized I'll probably be alone for the rest of my life," Hermione explained, unwilling to unpack how strange it was for her to be leaning on a giant snake to play therapist to her.
The snake curled its way up the bedpost, and across the duvet cover that she was tucked under. Nagini stopped when she was laying against Hermione's chest, looking into her face. She knew she should be terrified of the large snake, but she could sense no malice. Nagini's yellow eyes stared into hers. "My master likes you."
Hermione stopped still for a minute, considering Nagini's words. "He only likes what I can do for him. Give him information. Research. Whatever he wants with the child," she eventually countered, knowing that Voldemort did not feel any particular way about her.
"Ahhh," Nagini said, her tongue flicking out at the air in front of her. She understood the snake's musing but it sounded more like a sustained hiss to her. "I wasn't sure if you were aware of the presence of the child yet. I could find out what he intends to do with the child, if you would like..." she trailed off, her offer hanging in the air.
Hermione was surprised by the snake's offer. Wasn't Nagini supposed to be Voldemort's familiar? So then, why would she be willing to spy on him for Hermione's sake? "Oh? And why would you do that?" she asked, suspiciously.
"Because, I like you, too. You can look past your fear of me. You are trusting. Unlike so many others. You can look past the monster," Nagini explained, though it only left Hermione feeling more confused than before. With that, the snake began retreating from her bed and back towards where she came from. That was typical, she mused, of a snake, not saying goodbye. "That's why the master likes you, as well," the snake added quietly, just before she left the room.
Hermione was showered and had used her wand to dry her hair and apply a breath freshening charm. Sitting at her vanity in just a towel, she stared at the clothes she had worn the day before, dread settling in her belly. Although she had performed a scourgify on them, she wasn't looking forward to putting them back on, as the charm never made them feel like fresh, clean clothes. When she was at Grimmauld Place, Kreacher would bring her a new set of clothing after she was allowed to bathe in the morning. She wasn't even allowed to have her own clothes in her room there, so she hadn't been able to take any extra clothes with her. Now, she was left with one disappointing option: wearing the same clothes she'd worn the day before.
Sighing, Hermione decided it was best to just get it over with, slipping into her knickers and jeans from the day before. She didn't know what would happen if she was late for breakfast here, and she didn't really want to find out. Even though she knew there was more between her and Voldemort than he let on, she didn't fancy making him mad the very first day that she got there. She didn't want him to decide that she was more trouble than she was worth.
Hermione cautiously left her room once she was dressed and slowly walked down the five flights of stairs to the dining room she had been the night before. She could hear everyone talking loudly and laughing, which was a surprise. Stealing her reserve, she pushed open the door.
Immediately, everyone in the room was silent. Her heart was beating so fast, she was frozen to the spot, feeling like a deer that had been caught in a hunter's sights. Finally, she made eye contact with Bellatrix - the one friendly face in the room - who waved her over comically, patting the empty seat next to her. "There you are, pet! I saved you a seat!" Bellatrix called out, oblivious to the odd looks the rest of the inhabitants were giving them. Hermione timidly made her way towards the empty seat, and once she took it, everyone gradually started talking again, although everyone still seemed to glance at her every few seconds.
Hermione realized that Bellatrix was talking to her, practically a mile a minute, growing more and more frustrated with her lack of response. "Pet, why are you wearing the same clothes as yesterday?" Bellatrix demanded.
Hermione set down the toast that she was buttering, wondering how she should explain it. "Well, the Order wouldn't let me keep my clothing in my room, in case I would use them in some devious way, so these are the only clothes I have," she said quietly.
Bellatrix looked at her with those wide, crazy eyes, her lips pursed. "Well, we will need to push your lessons back a day. Narcissa and I will help you get some clothes, won't we Cissy?" she asked her younger sister across the table.
The blonde witch agreed. "Yes, just as long as we are back by the time Draco arrives," Narcissa said airily.
"Draco is going to be here?" Hermione asked, nervously, remembering how well she got along with the blond Slytherin. About as well as oil and water, she thought darkly. "Will he be staying long, or just until school term begins?"
Narcissa seemed surprised at the direct question Hermione had presented her with, probably affronted that she would be addressed by a muggleborn. "He will not return to Hogwarts. His father felt that he wasn't receiving an adequate education there. The Dark Lord agreed," Narcissa explained with a sniff.
Hermione nodded. Well, that was interesting. Malfoy and her never got along, but maybe now they would have to. She didn't think that Voldemort would appreciate Draco antagonizing her to the level he had at school, but perhaps he would just find it funny. He was intelligent at least, so she wouldn't have to be worried about being held back by her peers like she was constantly at Hogwarts. Even her friends couldn't keep up with her...well, her former friends.
When Hermione had finished breakfast, Bellatrix took her by the hand, and practically dragged her towards what Hermione came to understand was Voldemort's office. Voldemort was sitting at his desk with Nagini draped on his shoulders, and was studying what appeared to be some very ancient ancient runes. Hermione was intrigued, but could not read it from her vantage point, no matter which way she craned her neck.
"My Lord," Bellatrix started with her baby voice, which Hermione was beginning to think was just her normal voice, "those blood traitors from the Order wouldn't let dear, sweet Hermione have her clothing, and so she had none to bring with her. I would like to offer my services to take her to...purchase new robes." Hermione had the distinct feeling that they wouldn't actually be paying for anything today. "Narcissa would come as well."
"Very well," Voldemort had finally looked up from his papers, his reddish eyes narrowing on the pair of witches. "Bellatrix, go prepare a glamour with Narcissa for Hermione. I don't want to risk anyone finding her yet. I will send her to meet you once we finish talking."
Bellatrix left the room, and Hermione realized that this was the first time she had Voldemort had been alone since she left the Diary. He indicated that she should take a chair but didn't say anything. Finally, he spoke, leaning back into the leather chair. "I can tell you have questions. Go ahead."
Hermione made eye contact with him, feeling as if she could actually speak her mind with him, unlike the rest of the Death Eaters. "I don't understand Bellatrix. Is this some kind of a trick? She hates mudbloods," Hermione mused. She noticed that he didn't even flinch with her use of the vulgar word like Harry and Ron would have, but she wasn't sure how she should feel about that.
"Well, you remember how I told you some witches and wizards can be consumed by Dark magic. Bellatrix is...not quite right in the head, after an impressive youth as a Dark witch and subsequent years in Azkaban. She watched the events I showed her in the Diary with enthusiasm, but she has a lot of difficulty distinguishing between the dream and reality. She saw how much you cared for her, a way in which no one ever had, and she is now returning your affection," Voldemort explained.
Hermione bit her lip. She supposed that sounded plausible. "I was trying to make sure she'd never become your follower," Hermione muttered to herself. She regarded the...well, man across the table from her. "You seem to be taking this whole situation well. I mean being soul bonded to a mudblood and to have her carrying your heir," she said conversationally, only to be disappointed when the statement didn't cause any reaction from the cold man. "Speaking of that...do your followers know about the child? I might need to get some looser fitting clothing today."
With this question, she noticed that Voldemort seemed a bit surprised. "They don't know, but you may tell Bellatrix and Narcissa, I suppose," he said with a sigh. There was a stale silence in the air as he thought over her other question. "I had never planned on getting married. But, now I just have to deal with it. Use it to my advantage," he explained with a shrug, before looking back down at his papers. "You may go now."
Hermione was a little bit miffed, given that Voldemort just dismissed her like that. She wasn't done with the conversation! What did he mean, use it to his advantage? She hoped Nagini would tell her what Voldemort was planning soon. She didn't think that she'd feel on even footing until she knew.
Huffing, Hermione stood up and walked out into the foyer where Narcissa and Bellatrix were waiting for her. She stood in front of the large mirror while Narcissa waved her wand furiously, creating the complex series of charms that would become the glamour she would wear. Hermione watched as her wavy hair slowly became straight, and her plain brown sugar colored hair became blonder and blonder until it was the same shade that all the Malfoys had. Her eyebrows soon followed suit. She watched as her facial features slowly morphed so that her features were just a bit more angular. Her plain brown eyes transformed into a light green, the color of sea foam.
It was bizarre to see herself in this way. She was still clearly herself, but she was so different. It made her nervous. Previously she was just plain old brown haired, brown eyed Hermione Granger, who people wouldn't take a second look out. With these looks people would definitely take a second glance, and she worried that this would mean that people would be more likely to take note of her presence. She obviously didn't want it permanent, and was glad that the glamour would fade in six hours.
"I think I am ready to go now," Hermione said to the two older witches nibbling on her lower lip. "By the way, I need to stop by a store that has maternity clothing available..." Hermione trailed off, unsure of how Bellatrix and Narcissa and the rest of the Death Eaters would take the news that a mudblood was carrying the heir of their Lord. She pressed her eyes closed tightly, waiting for whatever their reaction would be.
She was not expecting Bellatrix to wrap her in a tight hug, pressing her face close to Hermione's ear. Her voice dropped to little more than a whisper. "Oh, pet! Is it the Dark Lord's?" she asked, eager and childlike.
Hermione felt a shiver run up her spine at the question, wanting to deny it and tell Bellatrix that it was Tom Riddle's, but then again, she knew that they were one in the same. Nodding, Hermione tried to steal herself. "Yes, but...it hasn't been confirmed yet," she said, only to look into Narcissa's cold eyes. "So, please don't tell anyone else. Only Professor Snape knows, too," she pleaded.
"Of course, pet," Bellatrix said, finally letting her out of her tight embrace. "Your secret is safe with us. Now, let's go find you a wardrobe appropriate for the mother of the Dark Lord's heir."