A/N: I'm sorry that this took me so much longer than I thought, but here it is! Thank you everyone for the reviews and follows! So, without further ado, chapter one of Against All Odds.

UPDATE!: Forgive me. I did not realize that there were no breaks. I have fixed that, so I hope it is easier for everyone. I apologize.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter universe. JK does.


Chapter One

Lady Riddle

I was on the last question on my Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, when my mind began to wander towards the days ahead. Today was a Thursday. On Saturday, the whole 7th year class would be graduating. After the reception, and after saying good-bye to all my friends and teachers, I would go to the Slytherin mansion, and prepare myself for the ball. I tried to push it out of my mind, but the thought of it consumed my brain. I would be leaving everything I loved behind in three days, to become the second most feared person on the planet, and the most powerful witch known to man. I smirked. I had hid my talents from all of my professors so well.

But how would I survive as Lady Riddle? The only people I would know when I left would be Father, the Malfoy's, Snape, Parkinson and a few other Slytherin's, and I wasn't exactly friendly with any of them except for Father. Of course, another problem was that I would have to prove my loyalty to Snape pretty fast if the Order was to know I was still on their side. That was yet another issue that I had yet to solve. One of many.

I had every intention to stay faithful to the Order. I might have hidden my true identity for years to please my father and protect myself, but I knew in my heart of hearts he was wrong about the cause he fought so hard for. He had killed my best friends parents, for Merlin's sake. I loved my father with everything I was, but I knew that murdering and torturing was not the way to do things, no matter how much you believed in something.

I had procrastinated enough. Now that I was about to graduate I had to turn my attention to my responsibilities. I had wasted to much time trying to form a bond with my father that sometimes I forgot there was even a war going on around me. I couldn't have that. I wanted the Order to be successful in the war. I wanted there to be peace. Even though I knew deep down that the chance of there being peace with my father in this world was slim to none. I knew this even though it hurt my heart to even think it. Despite my feelings for my father I couldn't let him destroy the world to get what he wanted. The Order meant peace. I just had to figure out how I could have peace and my father. I couldn't bear to let my father waste away in Azkaban. Was it possible? Could I get the Order to trust me to help them win this war? Could I prevent my father from being sentenced to Azkaban, or worse dying in the war that he created? The Order HAS to let me help them. It was the only way. What if-?

"Hermione?"

I jumped, pulling myself out of my deep reverie and looking up into clear, bright green eyes. I looked around. People all around me were scurrying out of the Great Hall. The N.E.W.T.'s for Defense Against the Dark Arts had ended. I gasped, looking down. My exam was gone.

"Harry James Potter!" I snapped at him, picking up one of my heaviest books from my bag and lobbing it at his head.

"Whoa!" Harry exclaimed, putting his arms in front of his face and dodging the flying book. "Hermione! What in the name of Merlin-?"

"You were sitting right behind me!" I shrieked. "Why did you not wake me? What if I fail? Damn it all, Harry!" I couldn't believe I had been dozing in my test. On the last question no less! I never had fallen asleep in a class before, let alone a test. I was horrified with myself. Father would be so disappointed in me.

The book landed with a crash on the other side of the aisle, pages flying. I cursed under my breath, and summoned it with a flick of my wand, drawing back my hand again to continue my assault on my friend. Just as I was about to bring it down on his head my wrist was caught by warm, firm fingers. I looked over my shoulder.

"Even if I do enjoy the sight of you beating young Mr. Potter over the head with your Potions book immensely, Miss. Granger," An extremely familiar voice said softly in my ear. "I am afraid that I will have to dock ten points from you for assaulting a fellow student." Snape sneered.

I came so close to screaming, "That's Lady Riddle to you, Snape!" but I didn't. I controlled myself just in time. Tears streaming down my cheeks from the stress and from the unfairness of it all, I jerked my wrist out of Snape's grip, let out a cry of frustration and sprinted out of the Hall.

Perhaps a nap would do me some good. Clearly all this pressure was getting to me. I couldn't lose control like that. Not ever. What was wrong with me?

I didn't notice Snape and Harry exchanging a worried look behind my retreating back.


"Okay, two more exams, Potions and Transfiguration." Ron said through a mouth full of mashed potatoes. It was lunch and we had two more exams for the day. None of the seventh years were looking forward to them. Most had opted to go to their common rooms, the library or the grounds for some last minute cramming instead of eating. Therefore the Great Hall was mostly full of first, second and third years. "Damn, those two are going to be a royal pain." Ron swallowed, not noticing his best friend and his sister's disgusted look. "Look on the bright side, though," he continued, taking a gulp of Pumpkin juice. "At the end of the week we'll be free at last."

"'Bright side'?" Harry and I said together.

Ron looked questioningly at the people around him. "Mate, we'll be free of our Professor's and homework. What could be better than that?"

Ginny looked over at me sympathetically. "I understand why you dumped him. You're right. He is a complete idiot."

Ron looked insulted. Harry laughed, eying me apprehensively. We hadn't talked since the little incident with Snape after Defense Against the Dark Arts exams that morning, so things were still a little tense between the two of us.

"Ron," I said, turning to face my ex-boyfriend and current friend. "Tell me who's outside the walls of Hogwarts right this moment." Ron looked at me blankly. "Voldemort!" I said. "And who's the one destined to kill him if nobody else finds another way?"

"Harry." Ron mumbled, having the sense to hang his head.

"Exactly." I said, turning back and taking a bite of my salad.

"Couldn't you be a little more sensitive, Ronald?" Ginny asked, taking Harry's hand and squeezing it gently for comfort.

I was in a bad mood. I didn't really want to deal with them at the moment. All I wanted was to forget about Hogwarts, forget about the Death Eaters, and to forget especially about Harry's destiny to kill my father. I couldn't dwell on that just now, however. I had to enjoy spending time with my friends, because after graduation I might never see them again. Yet, another part of me just wanted to run off with Father so that I wouldn't have to say good-bye.

"No, he's right, Herm, Gin," Harry said calmly. "It's a good thing we will be graduating soon. We'll be able to help the Order with whatever needs to be done then. Instead of waiting around here for something to happen."

I didn't need to be having this conversation with them at the moment. All I wanted to do was to forget the whole thing, at least for a couple of hours. At that moment the bell rang. I sighed with relief, standing up to wait for Professor McGonagall to start our exam.


"I just wanted to mention it, Professor's." Harry's voice said.

I froze. I had been taking one last walk of the school, drinking in all the memories and all the experiences I had had with my friends, with my professors. It was Friday night; I was doing my rounds as Head Girl, "making sure all the students were in bed, and out of trouble." I was expecting to tell off a first year or two, dock a few points and send them off to bed. I was not expecting Harry's voice, and I was definitely not expecting him to be with a professor. Let alone two!

Thinking fast, I hid behind a statue of Derek the Dim and listened carefully as three pairs of boots stopped just before the statue. I cringed. Damn, why couldn't they just keep on walking?

I heard a murmur of accent. "We are glad you came to us, Harry," An old, tired voice said. "Professor Snape and I have been worrying about her too."

I furrowed my eyebrows, turning my head to listen a fraction better. The Headmaster and Professor Snape worried? The Headmaster I could understand, he worried very much about Harry, and therefore he had his watchful eyes always on the other two participants of the Golden Trio. The bat-like, Potions Master of the dungeons worrying about my well being, however? It almost seemed laughable. Why would he care about the insufferable know-it-all? I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I wasn't even sure they were speaking about me. I didn't need to jump to conclusions.

"Her behavior yesterday after the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam was due to stress, Headmaster," A deep familiar voice said, as if this conclusion was so simple a first year could have come up with it. "All students have reactions due to stress of the N.E.W.T.'s in one way or another."

So they were talking about me, eh? I leaned in closer, hearing Harry's frustrated sigh.

"I think I can read my friend accurately after seven years of knowing her, Professor Snape," Harry said. I could practically hear his green eyes flashing behind his glasses. If only they knew where I was hiding.

"And I have seen more meltdowns from students over the past eighteen years of my teaching here than you can count, Potter. I think I can tell by now," Snape snapped.

"Harry, Severus, please," Dumbledore said his voice exasperated. "We all are worried for Hermione. We all acknowledge this. Severus, have you ever seen Miss Granger behave in such a way toward Harry or Mr. Weasley?"

"No, Headmaster."

I smiled, imagining Snape's scowl and Harry's smirk.

"Something must be going on that she is not informing us. In your years of experience, Severus, and your years of being around Hermione, Harry, would you not agree?"

There was a rustling of fabric as the two younger men nodded in agreement. Noticing I wasn't breathing, I drank in some cool air and continued to listen. What conclusion would the three most brilliant men I knew, excluding my father, come up with? I was interested.

"All we can do now is watch her. If her condition of unrest gets worse in the next few weeks I will confront her. Harry, if you notice anything else, come to me or Professor Snape."

"Yes, sir," Harry said, his voice resigned. "I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the circumstances, Professors."

"Thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Now I suggest you head to your dorm before the lady in question catches you out of bed."

"Yes, sir," Harry repeated. "Thank you, sir."

I heard Harry leave.

The two other professors' didn't move, apparently watching the Boy Who Lived go until he was out of earshot.

"What shall I do, Headmaster?" Snape asked, softly.

My senses alert, I turned my focus back on their conversation. I heard Dumbledore sigh.

"Find out what you can from Hermione, Severus," The Headmaster said. "Keep discrete, however. There is definitely some truth in Haryy's words. There is something she isn't sharing with us, wouldn't you agree?"

There was a pause. I wish I could see the expression on Snape's face.

"What is your theory, Headmaster?" Snape asked his voice low.

"I cannot say," Dumbledore said, his voice serious with worry. "Have you not seen her during her exams? The way she acts like she is daydreaming? You are not the only professor to come to me and report this. This is most unusual for Miss Granger." There was another long pause. "Whatever it is, I fear that it could be dangerous."

"Aye, Headmaster." Snape murmured.

"Go get some sleep, Severus. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, if I am not mistaken?" Snape growled. Damn! He was going to be at the ball tomorrow night. I had completely forgotten about that! "You will need it to get through tomorrow. When should I be expecting you?"

"Next Friday night, if nothing happens, Headmaster," Snape rumbled. "The Dark Lord will more than likely wish for my constant presencethe following week. He has expressed to me that he has plans that he will want to discuss with his head Death Eaters. That and he has reported to me that he is to announce something of great important at the ball tomorrow. As you well know."

"Yes, I do. Very well," said Dumbledore. "Goodnight, old friend."

His footfalls echoed on the hard stone floor as the Headmaster departed. Snape remained for a few seconds after the sound of Dumbledore's boots had faded.

"Good night to you, Headmaster." I heard Snape whisper softly and with a swish of his cloak and a click of his heel, he was gone.


"Congratulations!"

Shouts rang out through the Great Hall as families, friends and Professor's shouted their support to the graduating class.

I grinned. I hadn't let my mind dwell on the night ahead not once since I had awoken that morning. Knowing it would come in time, and that it would look odd if I looked ill on my graduation day, especially to three in particular wizards.

"Congrats, Hermione!" yelled Ron at the top of his voice, wrapping his arms around me so that he could pick me up and spin me around.

I squealed happily, laughing. "Congratulations to you too, Ronald!" I giggled.

"Hey! My turn!" shouted a voice behind us. Ron let me down and I found myself in Harry's embrace. He picked me up and spun me around a turn, followed with a kiss on my cheek as he placed me back on my feet. "Congratulations, Herm!"

"And you!" I said excitedly. "Come on, we have to get pictures, then we have a reception, and then we can say good-bye to the Professors."

"Herm, Collin's already got the pictures done. He told us he'd send them to us later next week. Next on the list is food. I'm starving!"

Forty-five minutes later I was sitting at a round table with food still piled on my plate. I had tried to make my own plate with a salad and some finger food, but Harry and Ron had taken it upon themselves and said that I need to eat 'real' food for once.

I looked around, smiling at who was sitting at my table. I knew it had to have been planned on who was sitting at our table, especially after the conversation with Harry, Snape and the Headmaster last night. Around me sat Harry, Ron, Ginny, Tonks, Remus, Bill, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Dumbledore and Snape. I was squished between Ron and Harry, while Snape and the Headmaster were across from me. Snape's permanent scowl had deepened when the Headmaster had insisted vehemently that he sit with the group. I felt like rolling my eyes. Men, no matter how intelligent they are, they're still stupid. Could they had been more obvious that they were watching me?

I heard Snape growl across from me. I could tell he wasn't enjoying his little babysitting job, and it kind of made me feel for him. I glanced up at him, feeling his eyes on me. Black met brown, and if I hadn't been taught by father I wouldn't have felt Snape entering my mind. Slamming my barriers down around me, I forced him out. He was good. Too good. It took me several seconds to come back to reality. He was almost as good as father. No one at our table noticed our soft gasp in unison. I fixed my now emotionless eyes on Snape, glaring at him. I could tell that he was carefully controlling the urge to look away. I had been taught by the best.

Livid, I pushed my chair away from the table, and stood gracefully, keeping his gazed locked with mine. Walking toward the great double doors behind him, I took as slight detour in my rout and grasped the back of his chair. Everyone was so engrossed in their own conversations not to notice me as I bent forward over Snape's ear. I was no longer his student, therefore no longer afraid of confronting him.

"I don't mean to be rude, Professor Snape," I said delicately, my voice deathly sweet. I could handle them watching out for me, but I could not handle them trying to extract the information that they wanted from my mind. Snape, unfortunately for him, had crossed a very thin line. "But could you please inform me why you just tried to enter my mind, without my permission?"

Snape turned his neck to look at me, his back ramrod straight, but he had chosen not to speak. Instead a his scowl had disappeared and his lips pressed together in distaste.

I smirked. "You don't have an answer for me, do you, Professor?" Snape sneered back. We stared at each other for a moment. I let a twinkle come to my eyes, knowing it would infuriate him. I liked Snape's classes, and I was the only one who stood up for him, besides Dumbledore, but for right now, he deserved a telling off. I was infuriated. "For your information, Professor Snape, you will find out what I have been hiding from you all tonight. All you need is patience, and your questions will be answered for you."

Snape's eyes flashed with astonishment and alarm. I stood up, knowing this was the time to take my leave for the Slytherin mansion. "I suspect I will be seeing you tonight, Professor." I said, and strode out of the room with a wave of goodbye to my friends.

I felt the eyes of Harry, Snape and Dumbledore follow me out.


"Father?" I called, my voice echoing throughout the Entrance Hall to the enormous mansion. "I'm home!"

There was a small 'pop' and Lord Voldemort stood before me. He smiled and took me into his arms.

"Welcome home, my daughter," he said. He pulled back and flicked his wand. The familiar silver mask hung between us. "It is not time for my followers to see you just yet. I wouldn't mind if it was just Bella and Cissy here, but there are a few other Death Eaters here also, Hermione." I nodded, smiling at my father.

"Shall I escort you to your room, Lady Riddle?" Father asked, holding out his arm.

"I would like that very much, Father," I replied, placing the silver mask upon my face, and feeling it stick firmly to my skin. With another small 'pop' and a swish of our robes we were in my new rooms. My mouth dropped.

The floor caught my attention first. It was a mirror like black marble and underneath, like I was standing on glass, were huge silver snakes slithering beneath my feet. They shimmered as if each scale were actually made of silver. It was beyond anything I had ever seen before. The walls were also made of black marble, but they had small green lines running across them, like cracks of green light in the darkness. They were so small and spidery you had to look close to notice them. They were quite beautiful, and I loved the contrast.

At the end of the large room was a magnificent ebony canopy bed. The comforter was made of black suede and the pillows and sheets were made of silver silk. The hangings were pulled back so I could see the bed, and they too were a gorgeous see-through material I had never seen before.

My eyes traveled the room to the closet door. I looked to father, who nodded his approval. I went to it, pulling it open. It was a empty. I looked around questioningly at my father.

"Close the door, dear daughter," he said. After I had done so, he said, "What do you wish to wear tonight? Think of it." I thought of one of the most elegant dresses I had seen in Hogsmeade before exams. I looked up at him. "Now, open it again."

I gasped as the door swung open at my touch. There, hovering a few inches from the ground was the very dress I had imagined. It was a strapless, taffeta dress with a slit up the leg that came up right above the knee. It was a beautiful shade of dark green with a black sheen. It also had an intricate lace up back that showed even more skin. It was one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. It was so elegant. That wasn't all however. Hovering next to the dress were a pair of strappy, black, three-inch high-heels, and a silver, diamond and emerald necklace with matching earrings. They were beautiful.

"Father! Oh, father, thank you!" I said, turning back to him and hugging him tightly. Once again, I found myself not really caring what he looked like, for I knew I was the only one he loved that loved him back.

We continued on with the tour. The next room I entered was a beautiful black marble bathroom with a large, Jacuzzi size tub on one end, a large shower on the other. A long counter separated the two with an equally long mirror. The marble in the bathroom was exactly like the marble walls in my bedroom. It was so beautiful. The taps for the sink, the shower and the tub were all shaped like snake heads the knobs like snake tails.

We exited the bathroom and entered the last door. Tears came to my eyes. It looked exactly like the Hogwarts' library. The smell was the same, the look was the same, everything was spot on. It was an exact duplicate. I looked over at Father, who had remained standing in the doorway. He was looking at me with an understanding smile.

"I knew you loved its library," he said. "As did I when I went to Hogwarts. I hope you like it, Hermione. It is my gift to you on this special day."

"Oh, Father, it's wonderful. I love it," I said, wiping away the tears that were clinging to my eyelashes. "Thank you." I was missing it already and I hadn't been away for more than an hour.

Well, at least I'll have Snape, Parkinson and the Malfoy's to keep me from getting too homesick. I mentally rolled my eyes as we made our way back to my room.

"Bella, Cissy, Pansy," Father hissed.

I turned my mouth in a thin line, as I turned in unison with my father to meet the three women, my silver mask still in place.

"Master," Bella said, falling to her knees with the other two and kissing the hem of my father's robs. When the three women had returned to their feet my father looked at them all expectantly.

"Acknowledge your Lady!" my father spat.

The three women looked startled, and quickly got on their hands and knees to kiss my robes. I was disgusted by the sight, bile rising in my throat. It wasn't right, but I would have to accept it until the Order and the Ministry won the war, or I would have to deal with it until my dying day. I mentally cringed at the thought. I hoped I could figure out how to make everything all right in the end.

"This is my daughter, and your Lady," Father said, motioning to me. "She will be more formally introduced later tonight. Prepare her for the ball. It's in three hours. I will be back to retrieve her then."

Bella Lestrange, Narcissa Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson nodded, averting their eyes from me and my father. My father left.

"Is she ready?" Father's voice came from my bed room.

"Yes, Master." I heard Pansy Parkinson say nervously. "Narcissa and Bellatrix are putting the final touches on her hair. They should be out at any moment."

I had made Pansy and Bellatrix stay outside the bathroom while I took off my mask. I didn't want anyone to realize who I was until Father introduced me, and I knew that the likelihood of Narcissa Malfoy figuring out who I was slim. Narcissa Malfoy hadn't seen me since the Quidditch World Cup, and even then she hadn't paid me much attention.

"You're done, milady," Narcissa said bowing, averting her gaze.

Putting on my silver mask I stood and swept past her, entering my bedroom. Father turned to me as I entered and inspected me with a warmness in his eyes I had never seen before.

"Leave us."

Three small 'pops' verified they had done as they were told.

"Come, now," he said, beckoning me to him. "Let me see you."

I reached up, removing my mask. There was a pause while father studied me closely. I shifted nervously, waiting for his opinion.

"You look beautiful, my darling daughter," Father said, taking my hand and looking me up and down.

"Thank you, father," I said, beaming at him. I felt like smirking. I couldn't wait to see Pansy, Draco and Snape's face. That would be worth going through all this torture.

Narcissa, Bella and Pansy had done marvelous work. My hair was up in intricate curls that piled at the back of my head. Placed evenly on top were small diamond clips that added spark to my hair. My skin was smooth and pale, almost porcelain like, and my eye shadow was a dark green, bringing the flecks of green out in my brown eyes. My lips were glossy, my cheeks had a touch of pink. I myself was very impressed. I had never looked this good.

"It is time to introduce you, Hermione Riddle," Father said softly, waving his wand and banishing the mask out of my grasp. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, father," I said, squaring my shoulders.

Taking my arm in his, with a puff of smoke we appeared in front of magnificent, oak double doors. There was a low rumble of the sounds of hundreds people behind the door. Father and I were silent as we turned to face them. He knocked lightly once, giving the signal.

Just as the doors began to open I heard the familiar voice of Wormtail call, "May I introduce our Lord and Master, the Dark Lord and his daughter, our Lady and Mistress, Lady Riddle!"


A/N: It's shorter than I would have liked, but I have plans for the next chapter. Teehee. Which should be up in the next couple of days so watch out for it!

I hope that everyone enjoyed it! Review, please!