A/N: Dear Reads, this chapter is much shorter then the other's I write because it's a bridge for the next chapter coming which I am currently writing. SPOILER Hermione is joining Severus at school, and it's... it's hard to do all of this. But you guys are my encouragement to try! Thank you so much for reading my story. Now back to my writing. Enjoy.

"Severus… What do you think of Hermione?" Voldemort asks softly as he sits in a large plump chair being followed by his pet. Since Severus had decided to become his loyal follower not to long ago, he was pretty excited. Or well, as excited as he could possibly be. Severus was like him, a pureblood that had been soiled by a muggle father. Their fathers didn't really seem to love anyone other then themselves, and… Voldemort paused in his thoughts. The more he thought about it, Severus was almost exactly like him. This was what made Severus so special to him.

However he sensed Severus was felling unease with Hermione's presence in his life. Perhaps it was because Severus preferred to be alone and unattached to others even those in this group that was the closest thing to a family he could come by. He looked closely at Severus, and for once he saw a bit of a blush on his cheeks as if he was recalling something that had happened between the two. "I think she's lying, my Lord." He whispered before looking up at him. "She's… Sir, I don't know. Maybe after another day or so I'll have better judgment on her." He said honestly. Severus did feel that Hermione was hiding something from everyone, but was pretty good at masking it. He looked down from the Dark Lord and then sighed heavily shaking his head.

"What has you so confused?"

Severus glances up at The Dark Lord again and then explained to him the adventures of last night, how Hermione was neatly all over the place as if she was walking on egg shells. If she was who she said she was, shouldn't she feel more at ease with everyone? He told him and continued to this morning and explained that she was even more reserved which didn't make sense to him if she was always showing images of how intimate they were with one another. If he had supposedly seen her at her most vulnerable then why was she so closed up around him. He had felt it in the kiss that there was something lacking and inexperienced about it. He felt the innocence. Now he wasn't an expert on kissing but he was certain that if you are heads over heels with someone you kiss someone with a little more fire. But then again she was scared… but that just didn't make any sense as well!

Voldemort was glad to hear Severus's concerns and how they confirmed his own thoughts. Then he looked to the younger man and told him his plan. "Severus… I agree with you. Something just doesn't sit well with me. But nonetheless… there might be some truth behind this or something incredibly valuable. So…" He pauses. "I wonder if you can brew some Veritaserum. I want to clear the air of this awful stench." He tells him sternly.

Severus was shocked. Of course he could do it. He could probably do it with his eyes close but Hermione could be his daughter… and what if something was revealed that didn't sit well with Vold- hold up… Why was he so worried about her? She could protect herself! He thought when a small voice said "no she can't her wand is inactive, remember?" He pushed the thought away and nodded looking at him. "It'll be a month, and to get the best brew I should start with the moon is heavy." He stated.

Voldemort smiled half heartedly and nodded. "Absolutely… Go ahead, and start it in a few days. Now… What should I do about Hermione since you have to return to school?" He asked him.

Severus made a face. He hadn't thought of it, but with in seconds he comes up with an idea. "She's the same age as I… Why not make up some papers to have her go to Hogwarts to take her exit exams? That way she'll be at Hogwarts and you'll be able to plan on after that without her interfering with anything." He suggested.

"Oh Severus… You really are going to be an amazing man." Voldemort praised.

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While the men talked, the girls did as well. It was awkward partly because Bellatrix was, for the first time in her life, was at a lost on how to handle this situation. She never saw herself as a mother, and according to this young girl she was one. " Uh… Is there any tips I should… now?" Bellatrix asked as she and Hermione sat in another room by themselves with tea set out before them. The more Bella studied Hermione, the more she truly believed what Hermione had said. She was graceful… Beautiful… and she knew everything about the family that she should. It was pretty hard not to believe her now.

Hermione lowered the tea cup from her lips, and looked to the woman struggling to accept that she was a mother. Although, she hated Bellatrix… Hermione was a bigger… and smarter person. If she wanted revenge she could do it, but she knew that was impossible. She had to not fuck up the timeline anymore then she already had and by destroying Bellatrix… that would really mess things up. Instead she placed the cup down and crossed to Bellatrix, sitting down next to her. "Mother, you are wonderful. Why would you need tips?" she said arrogantly causing the older woman to smirk.

"We… are the most powerful witches in my time. People fear you and I." She praised. "But they also respect us. We are the highest of the high in society and people look up to us. There is no tips needed. Others need tips to keep up with us." She said flipping her hair over her shoulder relaxing back into the small couch.

Spoken like a true woman of the Black house… Thought Bellatrix as she reached up to touch Hermione's hair. However there was some doubt in her mind that she was a good mother. She was probably like her mother, leaving her to do things on her own, and with people to watch her so she could do things. She probably didn't know her all that well. Hermione felt Bellatrix's distance, and moved so she was hugging Bellatrix. "I meant it mum… you are the best. We are practically best friends."

Hermione didn't understand why Bellatrix didn't really have kids, although thank god she didn't. She was such a good mother figure it was awful. However… maybe that was Hermione Lestrange thinking… She had no idea. But was happy to have Bellatrix take initiative to wrap her arms around her and hold her close to her body. The embrace was short lived when Voldemort and Severus appeared. That was when Hermione learned she would be returning with Severus to Hogwarts as a home schooled student going to take her exams there. That was also when she was told Severus was going to be helping her study.

"Study?! I can study by myself thank you." Hermione said lifting her head high. That was Hermione talking now. "I am the brightest witch of the wizarding age. While Severus has taught me a few things he is not the sole credit to my assertion to my love of books, tests, and school work." She admitted standing up looking up at Severus with a glint of a challenge in her green eyes.

Severus was surprised by her yet again, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to accept her challenge. "Maybe we can compare notes… Oh wait…" He teased which surprised Hermione as well. However before she could say something back to him a man appeared with a folder like object and a long box.

"The papers and wand, sire." the man whispered bowing.

Voldemort took the wand first and offered it to Hermione before Severus took the folder and Voldemort dismissed the man. Hermione touched the wand and felt a rush run through her body. She had a wand! A good… expensive wand! She thought looking at Voldemort uncertain. "I know that your wand probably doesn't work." He said cocking his head to the side wondering how she would react. He didn't expect a grin or a thank you but that was what he got, along with a hug before he dismissed her and Severus. They had to be at Hogwarts soon and dinner was probably just starting.