Hermione's Dark Secret (continued)

It was the weekend, and Hermione was sat in the Gryffindor common room, staring at the wall opposite her, lost in thought. 'You alright, Hermione?' Ginny asked as she sat herself next to Hermione on the sofa, flicking her flaming ginger hair behind her as she did so. Hermione instantly snapped out of her thoughts 'Yeah... I'm fine.' she said with a soft smile. 'How are things with you and Harry?' Hermione asked trying to quickly change the subject. 'Brilliant!' Ginny responded, her face lighting up at the mention of his name. Hermione smiled, it's nice to see them both happy.

'Hermione...?' Ginny asked, her tone a little higher pitched then usual. 'Yes, Ginny?' Hermione sat herself so she was facing head on to Ginny, her legs crossed on the sofa. 'Well... I was wondering... How do you feel about... Ron?' Hermione giggled lightly. 'Oh Gin, Ron will always be my best friend, he's like a brother to me... And I don't want to risk that friendship by making it any more than what we already have.' Ginny looked slightly disheartened. The thought of Hermione as her future sister-in-law always excited her. 'But do you feel anything towards him?' Ginny pressed. 'I love him.' Ginny's eyes sparkled then 'but like a brother.' the sparkle quickly disappeared. 'Oh...' Ginny said nodding.

'Hey...' Hermione smiled encouragingly 'Doesn't mean that we can't be close.' Ginny nodded, a smile coming to her face as she leaned in and hugged Hermione tightly. 'Anyway, I better go find Harry and Ron, make sure they aren't up to no good.' Ginny said and laughed. 'I'll see you later, Hermione.' Ginny stood and left the common room.

Hermione stood and rubbed the back of her neck, sighing. 'A walk will clear my mind.' Hermione whispered to herself. She headed to the girl's dormitory to get a jacket as it was a bit nippy outside. She put her jacket on, and looked in the mirror. She shrugged and pulled her hair up into a messy bun, taking down two strands of hair either side of her head to make it look a little more presentable. She never used to care about her appearance whilst growing up, but quite recently... She found herself making a little bit more effort.

Hermione contemplated going to Hagrid's hut for a spot of tea but decided she'd rather be alone right now. She reached the gates of the ground, and once again found herself lost in thought. She walked past the gates, leaving Hogwarts grounds when she felt a hand slither around her wrist and spin her around. She came face to face with Draco Malfoy. 'Malfoy.' she spat 'unhand me!' she demanded, trying to yank her wrist out of his grip. His grip was firm and tight, causing Hermione pain. She wasn't going to wince because she wasn't about to show weakness in front of him.

'You have some explaining to do, Granger.' Draco whispered in her ear. 'I have someone here who wishes to speak with you.'
Draco said, yanking her harshly. Hermione had already threatened him once, and she will stick by it. 'Just you wait until I get back in that castle, everyone will know about your fath-' 'Ahh, Miss Granger.' Hermione turned her head slowly. Stood before her was a tall figure, clad in black with long blonde hair. Both of his hands resting on his cane. 'Mister Malfoy.' Hermione all but whispered, her eyes widened somewhat. Draco, she could take, but his father... She'd be a fool to even try.

Lucius lifted his cane, pointed it towards Hermione and used the tip of it to gently lift her head so to reach his eye level.
Hermione gulped and looked Lucius directly in his bright blue eyes. His smile was evil. 'Now... I've heard that you have been disgracing my name, Miss Granger. Care to explain why?' Lucius drew his words out slowly. Hermione felt threatened.

'I don't know what you mean, Mister Malfoy.' Hermione lied. Anger flashed across Lucius' face, he lowered his cane to the ground and gripped it tightly. Draco's grip hardened around her wrist. Hermione was caught off guard and winced a little bit but quickly went back to being straight faced. This did not pass Lucius, he saw her quick change of emotions.

Lucius stepped closer to Hermione and she inhaled sharply, her heart beat beginning to quicken. 'I'm going to ask you one more time, Miss Granger, and you are going to answer with the truth... What have you been saying about me?'
Lucius' cane was resting right in front of Hermione's feet... All she'd have to do is kick it and hope that she'd send him flying... but if it didn't work she didn't want to risk making herself look like a tit in front of a Death Eater... and his knob of a son. 'I know what you are.' Hermione whispered, Lucius was standing close enough to hear her words perfectly.

'And what is that, Miss Granger?' Lucius dared her. Hermione lifted her head in confidence and took in a deep breath.

'A Death Eater.'

Before Hermione had time to register what happened, Lucius had grabbed her by her arm, Draco instantly letting go. Lucius span her around so she had her back to him, his wand quickly leaving his cane and pressed against the side of her head, his other arm snaked around her waist so she couldn't escape. Hermione tried to wriggle free but Lucius was far, far stronger than her. 'And what makes you think that, Miss Granger? That's a strong accusation.' Hermione just smirked, which took Draco by surprise. 'Accusation... Or fact, Mister Malfoy?' Hermione said, her voice not quivering. 'Draco... Leave.' Draco made his way back to the castle.

Lucius brought his hand that was wrapped around her waist up to her face to twirl the strand of curly, brown hair that was left out of the bun, around his finger. Hermione's breathing increased further. 'Tell me, Mudblood' he hissed. Oh that pissed Hermione off, she put her head forward slightly and then swung it back, headbutting Lucius. It caused him to release his grip and stagger backwards as he clutched his nose. Hermione made a run for it... She started running towards the castle gates but Lucius was fast on her tail, he caught up to her, his long strides beating that of Hermione's smaller ones. He grabbed her arm once again. 'You can't run from me.' He whispered. Hermione was out of breath. 'I have no wish to harm your beautiful being, but you are testing my patience.' 'Flattery gets you nowhere, Mister Malfoy.' Hermione said between trying to catch her breath. 'You're coming with me.' Lucius said sternly.

Lucius apparated them both to what looked like a stone castle. The room that they appeared in was empty and all that was there was a throne... It was a large room, almost the size of the Great Hall. 'I've had better first dates.' Hermione said sarcastically, of course, Hermione knew exactly what this room was... But nobody else could know this. Lucius pushed Hermione to the centre of the room. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the dark mark. He placed his other hand on top of the mark, closing his eyes. Hermione panicked... Shit...

Before she knew it... More Death Eaters came, appearing in the large stone room. And, in no time, every wizard's worst fear appeared before her. Lord Voldemort... his silk robe rippling as he moved. The room was silent. His red eyes focused solely on Hermione. Lucius stepped forward and bowed. 'My Lord.' His voice was shaky. 'Lucius... What is the meaning of this... Unexpected summoning?' His voice was cold, intimidating. It sent shivers down Hermione's spine. Yet his eyes never left Hermione's.

Hermione bit her lip nervously, her secret was about to be exposed...

'The Mudblood threatened to expose me, My Lord.' Voldemort's eyes flashed towards Lucius. 'It's vital we know how she is finding out this information, My Lord.' Lucius continued. Little did Hermione know... There was a certain Death Eater stood in the room who was in complete shock at the sight of the young witch stood before Voldemort. He prayed to Salazar that nothing would happen to her... He was also grateful that the mask was covering his emotions...

Voldemort let out a laugh. Not a humoured laugh, but a dark, sadistic laugh. 'You have always been a fool, Lucius.' Voldemort hissed, his snake like eyes tracing back to Hermione. 'Should you tell them... Or should I?' Voldemort's voice echoed around the room. Everybody silent. The question was clearly directed at Hermione. Snape was yet again thankful that his mask could hide his shock.

Tell them what...

Hermione looked down, remaining silent. 'I guess I shall then.' Voldemort said, unfazed. He started to circle Hermione, a few times Hermione could feel his robe brush past her. Hermione looked up at the ceiling as if trying to ignore what was happening.

'Hermione Granger.' Voldemort's voice boomed, everybody's attention solely fixed on the Dark Lord's words. 'Is a new member of the Death Eaters.' The whole room was in shock. Snape was positive he felt nauseous. Surely he heard wrong... He turned his head looking at Hermione, hoping she'd object... but she just sighed and closed her eyes, shaking her head. Even Draco was close to passing out. Voldemort glided over to Hermione and yanked up the sleeve of her left arm, revealing the Dark Mark.

'A Mudblood!?' exclaimed a voice belonged to Bellatrix LeStrange. Voldemort walked towards his throne, a smirk on his face. 'Yes, a Mudblood... But what better person to have on our ranks than Harry Potter's 'best friend'.' Voldemort sat on his thrown, his pet snake, Nagini, slithering out from behind the throne. She hissed as she raised herself so that Voldemort could pet her scaly head with his long, bony fingers.

'Does anybody wish to object to my decision?' Voldemort's red eyes scanned the room, daring one of his followers to disobey him. There was silence. A smirk appeared on his face. 'Good.' He stated simply. 'Now leave. Except for the Mudblood. She stays.' The Death Eaters left, one by one, apparating out of the castle.

'Now, Hermione Granger... You have a lot of explaining to do.' Voldemort's voice was soft but menacing... Hermione was in deep, deep shit...