Hermione kept her head down as Bellatrix dragged her through the castle. Her mind was full from the 'visit' with Voldemort and she was confused as to why he hadn't done her in. She was one of Harry's best friends and she had helped thwart many of Voldemort's plans in the past. So…why? She'd rather be dead than have to go through life without Harry, Fred Weasley, Lupin, Tonks and most of all, Ron.

At the thought of Ron, grief threatened to overwhelm her once more. She had loved him since their third year at Hogwarts and he had never known it, the idiot. She regretted that she hadn't taken the initiative a long time ago, but she had thought she had all the time in the world. Funny, how quickly life can slip away… She remembered back to when she kissed him in the Room of Requirement and how happy she had been.

Hermione shook her head angrily at herself. She refused to break down here, when there were so many of her enemies around and so many of her allies were broken. Bellatrix suddenly threw Hermione through a hole in the wall and Hermione realized that they had already arrived at Gryffindor Tower. With a pang, she saw that the Fat Lady's portrait had been blown off its hinges and much of the furniture in the common room was destroyed.

Bellatrix moved into her line of vision and Hermione glared at her old enemy.

"Happy now, are you?" she demanded. "You've destroyed everything we Gryffindors hold dear."

Bellatrix's eyes flashed; a warning to Hermione that perhaps she had taken things too far. A wand was suddenly thrust in her face and Hermione went cross-eyed trying to keep an eye on the wand.

"Do not presume that you can address me that way, Mudblood," Bellatrix hissed, venom lacing her every word. "I dunno why the Dark Lord has decided to spare your life, but don't expect any special treatment from me. I am the favorite around here."

Unable to come up with a scathing remark with a wand in her face, Hermione simply nodded. Bellatrix nodded and swept from the common room without a backward glance. Hermione relaxed, casting a miserable glance around at the once cheerful sanctuary. It was quiet and dark, making her feel very much alone.

If I had my wand I'd just fix everything right now.

Squaring her shoulders, Hermione crossed over to the stairs that led into the girl's dormitory. She was blind to everything except her bed, which she collapsed into and fell almost immediately into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Voldemort look down with disgust at the blonde head of Narcissa Malfoy. The woman was insufferable and refused to stop crying over the death of her husband. Bellatrix did not move to comfort her sister in front of her Master and her face remained stoic. Voldemort turned from Narcissa, crossing over to the window that looked out on the grounds.

"Stop your sniveling, Narcissa," he snapped. "There are plenty of other worthy purebloods for another marriage."

Narcissa gulped and nodded, her white blond hair rippling as she rose to her feet.

"What would you have me do now, My Lord?"

"Leave me. Go find Draco and move down to the Slytherin dormitories."

Narcissa bowed, backing out of the office. Voldemort sighed as he wearily sat in his throne. Bellatrix inched closer to the chair, her expression bright with admiration.

"Yes, Bella? Why are you still here?"

Bellatrix flinched as though slapped, but she pressed on.

"My Lord, Rodolphus was killed in the battle."

"I know that already. What's your point?" Voldemort was quickly beginning to tire of her presence.

"If you needed someone to… share your company with…"

Voldemort got to his feet, his annoyance written clearly on his face. Bellatrix cowered back in fear, falling to her knees.

"Why do you think anyone would be worthy of my company, Bellatrix, let alone yourself? Do no bring up this subject again, or the consequences could be quite… fatal."

Bellatrix bowed her head, her hopes dashed and misery settling upon her.

"Yes, My Lord," she said meekly, backing away towards the door. Before she left, she paused. "My Lord? What are your plans for the Mudblood?"

Voldemort smirked at the obvious jealousy in Bellatrix's voice and Bellatrix blushed. Voldemort withdrew the Elder Wand from his robes and studied it, as if trying to find a blemish of some sort.

"That, my dear Bella, is a surprise to all but myself."

After Bellatrix had left the room, Voldemort stood and glared around at the office. Severus Snape had last inhabited this office and had slyly filled it with reminders of his great mentor, Albus Dumbledore. Yes, Voldemort had to admit that Dumbledore had indeed been a great wizard; but also foolish and too weak to take what was rightfully his. Taking a firmer hold on the Elder Wand, Voldemort replaced Snape's belongings with his own. When he had finished, the office befitted a Dark Lord.

Facing the portrait of Dumbledore on the wall above his chair, Voldemort deliberated whether he should destroy it or leave it. Leaving it would remind the students that Dumbledore was gone forever and that he was now in charge. On the other hand, leaving it could be taken for admiration on his part… And he couldn't have that. Raising the wand again, Voldemort sent a wave of scorching fire at the portrait and when the smoke cleared, all that was left of the painting was a cherry red pile of ash. Pleased with his work, Voldemort left his study and went into his new bedchamber. Making himself comfortable on the bed, he used Legilimency to look into Hermione's mind.

He was disappointed when all he saw was darkness. A dreamless night for her, then. He retracted from her mind and prepared himself for sleep. He cast a simple spell for a dreamless sleep, as he had done every night since he was seventeen and succumbed to sleep's inviting bliss.

The next morning, Voldemort opened his eyes to screams sounding from below him. Fury at being woken taking hold of him, he dressed quickly and Apparated into the dungeons where the prisoners were being held. Bellatrix, Dolohov and Draco were standing over a figure huddled on the ground. They had turned at the sound of Voldemort's arrival and all had dropped to their knees. The quivering victim on the ground lifted her face and he saw through all the red hair, Potter's love-interest, Ginny Weasley.

"What is the meaning of this, Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix lifted her face towards her Master.

"My Lord, this scum here was attempting to escape and take the others with her. We stopped her and thought we ought to punish her."

"And what gave you the nerve to think you can punish our… guests without my approval?" Voldemort asked, his voice silky smooth.

Bellatrix blanched; she knew when Voldemort seemed calm he was normally at his most dangerous. She scrambled for a suitable answer, and finding none, she resigned herself to her fate.

"Forgive me, My Lord, for my error."

Voldemort look down at his most devoted servant, his expression cold. He toyed with the idea of getting rid of her, but in the end decided against it. He would need faithful followers to maintain his grip on the Wizarding World.

"You know that I do not tolerate mistakes well, Bellatrix and you seem to make mistake after mistake," he said softly.

Bellatrix trembled in fear, thinking the end was near. Voldemort raised his wand, enjoying Bellatrix's terror.

"Crucio."

Bellatrix crumpled in pain, her face squirming with different expressions. Voldemort laughed cruelly, though he felt nothing. Truly, he hadn't felt in many, many years…

There was the sound of footsteps and Hermione burst into the dungeon. No doubt she had heard her friend's screams… Voldemort felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach and he immediately stopped torturing Bellatrix.

Hermione looked down in horror to where Bellatrix was writhing in pain on the dirty floor. She glanced past towards Ginny and ran to her friend's side.

"Are you okay?" she whispered.

Ginny nodded, tears making streaks in the dirt caked on her face. Hermione stood to face Voldemort, her expression furious.

"What was your reason for hurting my friend?" she demanded.

Voldemort admired Hermione's bravery, but resented the fact that it was directed towards him.

"Mudblood, we have discussed your tone while you're talking to me. As for your friend ask Bellatrix, not me."

Ginny stirred angrily at the word "Mudblood", but Hermione gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Hermione turned her murderous glare on Bellatrix, who stared back in shock.

"Bellatrix, why did you attack Ginny?"

Bellatrix leaped to her feet, her wand up and ready to curse Hermione.

"I do not need a dirty Mudblood such as yourself asking me why I do something. I warned you about how you spoke to me and now you will suffer the consequences."

Voldemort had looked on in amusement, but realized that Bellatrix was very serious in her threats towards Hermione. He needed Hermione, and did not need Bellatrix harming her.

"Enough, Bellatrix. I told you not to harm her."

Bellatrix backed away from Hermione, shooting her a venomous look. She bowed and did not look up until Voldemort addressed her again.

"Bellatrix, Dolohov, Draco, clean up our guests. Tomorrow at noon sharp I will be making an announcement in the Great Hall as to what their fates will be. Mudblood, you will come with me."

He grabbed Hermione's arm, who was too shocked to resist. With a crack, he Apparated them both back to his bedchamber.

Hermione looked around her, then realized that Voldemort had kept his hold on her arm. She pulled away, taking several steps back until she had her back pressed against the wall. Voldemort laughed, lounging on his comfortable bed.

"Would you like to take a seat, Mudblood?" he asked, gesturing to the bed space next to him.

Hermione was disgusted at the notion of being so close to him. She shook her head fervently and Voldemort laughed again.

"I had forgotten how entertaining teenagers could be. Very well, sit here."

A soft, cushy chair appeared next to the bed and Hermione warily regarded it. She was flummoxed as to why Voldemort's behavior had changed and why he was suddenly being… kinder? But, that was impossible, he was incapable of feeling. Voldemort's expression darkened and he sat up.

"I said sit."

Trembling slightly, Hermione sat down. She had forgotten how deadly Voldemort could sound at the flip of a switch. Hermione glanced around again, giving herself a chance to take in the room again. The furniture was sumptuous, mainly all dark colored silk. There were no pictures on the walls, but then, what pictures would the Dark Lord have in his room?

"Why am I here? Why haven't you killed me yet?" Hermione asked, turning to look at Voldemort again.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed at being questioned so frankly.

The plan… I need the Mudblood to warm to me.

"All in due time, Mudblood. Your spirit interests me and I want to know why Harry Potter was so attracted to you."

"I won't tell you about my life just because you ask," she said stubbornly, crossing her arms.

Voldemort sat up again, this time swinging his legs off the bed. Hermione could feel how close he was and she shivered from the contact. He took her arms, uncrossed them and pinned them down at her sides. Hermione's breath caught in her throat as he leaned in close to her face.

"Let's get something straight, Mudblood. I am the Dark Lord and I have taken over your little world here at Hogwarts and the bigger world outside this castle as well. You had better accustom yourself to treating me with respect, or I will take the meager possessions you have left and leave you alive to despair."

Hermione cowered back into the seat; she was utterly terrified. She had thought she had nothing else in this world, but there was Ginny, Luna, and countless other friends of hers still down in the dungeons. They needed her to keep them going and she needed to be strong, if not for herself, then for them. She raised her chin bravely, looked the Dark Lord straight in his red eyes and replied,

"Yes, My Lord."

A.N.: So what'd you guys think? Opinions/reviews are much appreciated! :)