Thanks to all who reviewed – I try and make it my best and I'm glad you like it (most of you)!
Also, thanks to those of you who informed me that I was switching from third person to first person – I went back and corrected it. I TOTALLY LOVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM and if you happen to see any errors, let me know because I really appreciate it.
I'm very pleased with all of the encouragement and I'll try to update as soon as I remember to – even though I'm on summer vacation, my schedule seems to be so jam-packed that I can't find me time ANYWHERE. Also my sleep schedule is so messed up it's beginning to become reversed – I sleep through most of the day and am up most of the night.
I feel like Dracula.
I love reviews and if you leave me one, you will in fact receive virtual cookies. I swear, I can take it, even if you just tell me it sucked.
Promise.
Now, without further ado, I am pleased to present you with angst-ridden goodness!
There was silence for all of three seconds. Heads whipped around and focused on the shocked, incoherent man who was still kneeling at the dark lord's feet, spluttering like an idiot as words failed to reach him.
In the back of his mind, he catalogued the scene – everyone was looking back and forth between himself and Voldemort, mouths agape. Severus thought they looked a bit like darker, scarier fish.
Everyone's face was an identical mask of shock, with the exception of a certain Bellatrix.
"You're insane!" She screeched. "Have you bloody lost your bloody mind? BLOODY HELL! The Granger girl! THE FUCKING MUDBLOOD?"
"You will not speak of her in that manner!" Voldemort roared, rising. "Silence!"
Bella's eyes widened in fear as his voiced boomed so loud the ground began to quake in his anger.
"Hermione Jean Granger is NOT a mudblood. She is purer than even I, in terms of blood."
In his rant, he did not allow this to sink in before barging forward in his disciplinary scolding.
"You see, I know of her true parentage. Unfortunately, Bella, you've upset me with your emotional outburst. And although you were a fun pet and you always obeyed, I do not tolerate those who question my authority or my decisions. If I wish to hear your opinion on the matter at hand, I will ask it of you. Anything else is entirely rude and uncalled for. You are a GUEST in this home, Bellatrix, and I will see to it if this behavior continues that you are no longer welcome. Are we clear?"
"Y-yes, M-master."
"Good. Now shut up."
She went silent.
He sat back down.
"As you heard in the midst of my rant," He began in a quiet tone, "Hermione Granger, my partner-to-be, is not of soiled blood. Her true father is Abraxas Malfoy, and her true mother Walburga Black.
"Obviously, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, this means that she is your pureblood sister.
"She, obviously, was pawned off to some idiot Muggle couple the same way that Harry Potter was to those Dursleys to avoid a scandal, as, sixteen years and nine months ago, both were married. She would've been a bastard child, born out of wedlock, shamed to the world.
"I see no matter in the unfortunate upbringing she had – her blood is true, and that is what matters. She is also very powerful, and, as Severus has informed me, exquisitely clever. I yearn for someone who craves knowledge the way I did to converse with and discuss theories, etcetera.
"So, dear friends, allow me to make one thing perfectly clear.
"You are to treat her in the way you treat me, if not better," He glanced pointedly at Bella, "when she arrives. And, Severus…"
"Yes, my lord," Severus whispered, still in half shock, half dazed incomprehension at his new assignment.
"Make no mistake, I will have the Granger girl, whether you decide to man up to your duty and bring her to me or not. Just know that if I have to do it myself, I won't be quite as gentle with your little obsession as you would be. Things could get a little…rough."
Severus winced at the thought of the Dark Lord hurting his beautiful, clever Hermione.
"Please," Severus begged. "Don't hurt her."
"I shan't have need to, lest you bring her to me unscathed, unharmed, and still pure."
"Still pure?" Severus murmured, confused.
"Do not take her most precious gift, Severus. That present is for myself, and myself alone."
Severus looked scandalized, and the Dark Lord laughed.
"Come now, Severus. Surely you weren't under the apprehension that I wouldn't make you share."